Current research is focused in color perception and measurement and dyestuff design, synthesis and application.

1.  Forensic Analysis of Dyes and Fibers

Research is on-going to develop an unprecedented Comparative Finished Fiber Analytical Database (COMFFAD) using liquid chromatography and Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (LC TOF MS) to enable dyed fibers to be rapidly and accurately analyzed for the exact dyes present in the fiber, as well as estimate their concentraitons in the fiber.  This work is aimed at substantially advancing trace evidence analysis of fibers.

2.  Fiber Chemistry with Reduced Environmental Impact

Our research group has established a new approach to desizing, scouring and bleaching cotton fibers using a bleach activators at neutral conditions and comparatively low temperature. Good whiteness and very little fiber damage results from our methods. We are working to optimize the conditions for scale up of the research.

3.  Color Perception and Measurement
Research is on-going to improve the correlation between color perception of, for instance, the magnitude of color differences, whiteness and staining of dyes onto materials, with the spectrophotometric measurement of color. 

4.  Dyestuff and Pigment Design and Synthesis

Many existing commercial colorants are under threat due to occupational and environmental problems associated with their production and use. Hence, new approaches for the design and synthesis of new nongenotoxic colorants are required, as well as new processes for their application that are more environmentally responsible than existing technology. One focus in the College of Textiles has been towards the design of nongenotoxic colorants and intermediates.

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Born and raised in Derby, England, David attended Spondon School, and later worked for Courtaulds Research from 1984 to 1986 prior to attending the University of Leeds. At Leeds, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree (1^st Class Honors) in Colour Chemistry in 1989 and a Ph.D. in Colour Chemistry in 1993, which was sponsored by ICI to investigate the synthesis and application of fiber-reactive dyes for cellulosic and polyamide fibers.

In 1993, David moved to NC State’s College of Textiles as a Research Associate and later Visiting Assistant Professor investigating the genotoxicity of dyes and pigments via modeling, synthesis, and testing. In 1996, he joined Milliken & Co. in Spartanburg, SC, as an R&D Chemist. In the fall of 1998, he returned to NC State as Assistant Professor in the College of Textiles.  In 2003 he was promoted to Associate Professor, and became the Program Director for the then new Polymer and Color Chemistry Program.  He was promoted to Full Professor in 2009, and became the Cone Mills Professor of Textile Chemistry in 2010. He currently serves as the Director of the Forensic Sciences Institute, and Associate Head and Director of Graduate Programs in the Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science.

He is a member of NC State’s Academy of Outstanding Teachers and Academy of Outstanding Faculty Engaged in Extension, and enjoys serving on the Park Scholars Advisory Council and the North Carolina Forensic Science Advisory Board that was established by the North Carolina Assembly in 2011.

He has mentored 14 graduate students (Ph.D. and Masters) students to successful graduation, seven post docs, five visiting scholars and more than 20 undergraduate students in research.

PCC106  Polymer Synthesis and Environmental Sustainability

PCC301  Textile Wet Processing

PCC401  Manufacturing and Its Impact on Safety, the Environment, and Society

PCC474  Forensic Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

Samantha Blake, co-major, Ph.D. Fiber and Polymer Science, and Chemistry

        NSF Project:  IC CRIME, www.iccrime.ncsu.edu

Anne Fraser, M.S. Textile Chemistry

         NIJ Project:  Development of a Comparative Finished Fiber Analytical Database

Min Li, M.S. Textile Chemistry

         Bleach activators for environmentally benign textile wet processing via desize,                scour and bleaching of cotton.

Ian Hill, co-major, B.S. Polymer and Color Chemistry & Biochemistry

        Bleach activators for environmentally benign textile wet processing of cotton

Rick Schaefer, co-major, B.S. Polymer and Color Chemistry

        Bleach activators for environmentally benign textile wet processing of wool

Melissa Vinson, B.S. Polymer and Color Chemistry

         Dyed fiber analytical chemistry

Ph.D

The University of Leeds, U.K., 1989-1993

Cationic Reactive Dyes for Cellulosic Fibres

Sponsored by Imperial Chemical Industries, plc.

Investigated vinylsulfone fiber reactive dyes carrying cationic charges to a) exhibit high substantivity towards cellulosic fibers in the absence of electrolyte, and b) exhibit enhanced substantivity for polyamide fibers under neutral or alkaline conditions.  In addition to conventional analytical techniques, a novel analytical method based on capillary electrophoresis was developed to determine the purity of the dyes. 

B.Sc. (Honors) Colour Chemistry

The University of Leeds, Leeds, U.K., 1986-1989

Academic Editor, Society of Dyers and Colourists, UK.
Convenor and Delegate, International Standards Organization, Tech. Committee 38, SC1, Working Group 7, Color Measurement
Chair, AATCC Color Science Symp. Steering Committee

Member:
Society of Dyers and Colourists
American Association Textile Chemists and Colorists
American Chemical Society
Inter-Society Color Council