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TPACC researchers’ test for activewear cooling efficiency accepted as industry standard
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Textile Protection and Comfort Center (TPACC)

Dynamic PyroMan on fire in the Textile Protection and Comfort Center.

Jul 2, 2025

Wilson College of Textiles Names New Director of Milliken Textile Protection and Comfort Center

Associate Professor Bryan Ormond will become the second director of TPACC as Professor Roger Barker moves into a new role.
Facutly and students work with Pyroman, a life-sized manikin used to evaluate the performance of thermal protective clothing in the Textile Protection And Comfort Center.

Apr 7, 2025

Milliken Naming Investment Fuels NC State Research in the Textile Protection and Comfort Center

A new $1.5 million investment from Milliken & Company will further elevate groundbreaking research at NC State’s Textile Protection and Comfort Center.
A group of people monitors a Dynamic PyroMan test in a TPACC laboratory. One person is seated at a computer workstation with data on the screen, Roger Barker and others stand nearby. A large blaze is visible through a window, contained in a separate room.

Nov 22, 2024

TPACC featured on PBS NOVA’s Building Stuff series

Dynamic PyroMan and researchers at the Wilson College of Textiles are the stars of the newest episode of PBS NOVA.  Producers with the Building Stuff series paid a visit to the Wilson College’s Textile Protection and Comfort Center (TPACC) to learn about the science behind firefighter turnout suits. They also spoke with TPACC’s researchers to…
Melissa Armistead adjusts a mask on a mannequin head. Several colorful mannequin heads are lined up on a workbench, each with an open mouth, which is part of a research or testing setup. A door and equipment are visible in the background.

Nov 8, 2024

TECS doctoral student recognized with $10K scholarship for cutting-edge research

The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) recently celebrated the research of Melissa Armistead, a fiber and polymer science Ph.D. student, for work that could prove pivotal for firefighters on the front lines.
Hannah Orlowski smiling

Oct 29, 2024

Hannah Orlowski ’19 joins the dean’s Young Alumni Leadership Council

As a passionate textile engineering alumna with a love for networking, Hannah Orlowski looks forward to returning to NC State as a new member of the Dean’s Young Alumni Leadership Council.
Inside a testing lab, a human-sized manikin moves inside flames.

Jun 13, 2024

Fanning the flames of textile science

In its 30th year, the Textile Protection and Comfort Center (TPACC) celebrates innovations that have defined textile science.
Mushfika Mica adjusts the female sweating manikin.

Jun 12, 2024

New equipment will help TPACC researchers test military, fire fighting gear for women who serve

The Wilson College of Textiles’ new testing manikin should reduce gender-based discrepancies in the safety and comfort of critical gear.
Dynamic PyroMan on fire in the Textile Protection and Comfort Center.

Mar 20, 2024

TPACC researchers unveil “game-changing” technology to test firefighter thermal wear

“Dynamic PyroMan” improves upon NC State’s 30-year-old manikin, providing a window into how thermal wear performs in flames.
Sophie Guevel (left) holds part of a blue machine and is turned to another person talking to them.

Apr 20, 2023

TPACC researchers’ test for activewear cooling efficiency accepted as industry standard

For years, there’s been a “critical gap” in the testing of activewear products. Now, a novel test developed within the Wilson College of Textiles is poised to be the industry standard.