MSE MS Thesis Presentation of Victoria Luan

TITLE: INVESTIGATION OF TEXTILE RESISTANCE TO PUNCTURE BY MICRO-PENETRATORS WITH GEOMETRY OF MOSQUITO PROBOSCIS

ABSTRACT: Vector-borne disease infection rates are increasing due to larger populations of mosquitos surviving in warmer climates caused by climate change. This is a particular threat for U.S. soldiers deployed overseas in semitropical/tropical climates because it can result in lost manpower days, decreased unit morale, and increased medical costs. Current insect-resistant garments are embedded with short-lived insecticides or have stiff weave patterns to deter biting, which can make these garments chemically harmful or physically uncomfortable to the wearer. Currently, there exists standardized test methods for mechanical puncture by large-diameter penetrators such as knives and needles, but there exists no standardized tests for micro-penetrators (i.e. mosquito proboscis). This study proposes the development of the enhanced micro-penetrator puncture test (micro-PPT), which is a quasi-static puncture technique that quickly measures the puncture resistance of fabrics to micro-penetrators similar to mosquitos. This research will investigate the enhanced micro-PPT by (a) validating an improved design of the simulated proboscis, (b) improving the puncture test method, and (c) conducting a sample size sensitivity analysis. This enhanced micro-PPT is conducted on five fabrics and the results will also be compared with an enhanced live-mosquito blood-feed (LMBF) test recently developed at the University of Notre Dame (UND) for the same five fabrics. This study proposes an effective test method that has potential to rapidly test any fabric for insect bite resistance for the high-volume production of PPE, utility uniforms, and activewear.

COMMITTEE: Advisor: Christie M. Bielmeier, ME; William Boley, MSE, ME

When 9:00 am on Monday, June 29, 2020
Location Zoom