University of Manchester Internship

This summer I completed an 8-week Student Experience Internship within the Department of Materials at the University of Manchester.  The focus of the internship was to research and conduct an investigation into the impact of fabric structures and colouration on microfibre release.

During the first two weeks I conducted thorough research into three main topic areas including 'what are microfibres', 'how fabric structures impact microfibre release' and 'how colouration impact microfibre release'. By analysing each of these topic areas individually I was able to fully understand the scope of this area. This research highlighted some gaps in the colouration research in particular indigo colouration of natural fibres which are found in the production of denim products including jeans. With this I wanted to investigate whether the number of dips into indigo impacts microfibre release.

I then designed my investigation from preparing of my samples including dyeing and weighing, washing my samples, the filtering processes to collect the microfibres and then the weighing and quantification of my results. The methods incorporated many elements from the British Standard BS EN ISO 4484-1:2023.

The process of the investigation itself began with a fabric analysis of the cotton to identify the fabric areal density, thread density, yarn linear density and weave structure of the samples I was going to dye and wash.

Further preparation included cutting and hemming the samples to the BS EN ISO 4484-1:2023 standard to ensure standardisation throughout. Once these were weighed I then began on dyeing. The samples varied in the number of dips between 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 each with 3 samples in each category. Indigo is a pigment instead of dye so doesn’t bind to the fibres like synthetic dyes such as reactive dyes. However, there were issues surrounding the indigo dye vat used during this investigation. The vat had not been maintained and therefore was not producing samples with the depth of colour indigo can usually produce. Once the samples were dyed and dried I then began washing and carrying out the filtration process of the microfibres.

This process consisted of washing each sample in a canister with 50 steel balls to mimic the agitation of a washing cycle for 45 minutes at 40°C. Once this process was complete each canister was emptied and cleaned to ensure all the microfibres were collected onto the filter paper.

These filter papers were then weighed and the microfibre mass calculated from previous masses of the filter paper. However, special considerations must be made in terms of contamination from microfibres in the air.

Once the investigation finished I then wrote up a report of my findings to demonstrate the research as well as the skills I have developed throughout including communication, laboratory competence, data analysis and report writing.

I then had the privilege of speaking at the WOVEN Symposium at the University of Manchester to present the findings from my internship which was such a great opportunity to speak and network with industry experts.