MORE INNOVATIONS
New protective garments for first responders
When you think of the textile industry, you might think of socks and towels. At N C State, we’re thinking of protection from fire and chemical hazards for first responders, like firefighters and HAZMAT workers.
We developed a firefighter suit that’s more resistant to fire and heat, as well as chemical and biological threats. And now, a new, one-of-a-kind facility will help us understand how better to protect first responders against chemical and biological agents.
The new Man-in-Simulant Test – or MIST – lab in the university's Textile Protection and Comfort Center can demonstrate exactly where a protective suit allows harmful agents to penetrate the fabric. Understanding where harmful agents get in is the first step toward providing a better suit. Memo to first responders: We’ve got your back.