Biobased Polymer Yarn Development
Project Snapshot
| Activity Lead: | Ericka Ford |
| Lead Institute: | |
| Partners: | |
| Tags: | Resilient Materials |
Research Goal
Produce high quality yarns from plant-based raw materials to be used in textile applications.
Project Description
Once biobased fibers have been spun at the multifilament and pilot scale, the team will transition those technologies into textured yarns.
Impact
This brings the opportunity to forge interdisciplinary partnerships with biochemical companies and researchers to bring nontoxic, biorenewable, and biodegradable yarns to the textile market, reduce reliance on petroleum-based fibers, and showcase raw materials from nature to be used in the fabrics of tomorrow.
Project Progress
Project Outputs
Discover the tangible outcomes and impact of this project.
Ericka Ford
NC State University
Associate Professor, Wilson College of Textiles, NC State University
At NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles, Ericka Ford is an Associate Professor with a joint appointment across the Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science and The Nonwovens Institute, working at the intersection of fiber science, chemistry, and applied performance.
Her research spans protective and therapeutic nonwovens, high-performance fiber engineering, and coating and finishing technologies. This range is shaped by her background in defense research: before joining NC State, Ford served as a National Research Council postdoctoral awardee in Chemical and Biological Defense at the US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center. This work grounded her understanding of how textiles perform in high-stakes environments.
Her interest in coating technologies began during her master’s research at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she studied systems designed to reduce environmental impact. That work continues alongside her current research engineering fibers and nonwoven materials for protective and therapeutic applications. Ford also leads training and development for science and engineering professionals.
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Textiles and Fiber Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2003
- Master of Science (MS), Polymer Science, University of Southern Mississippi, 2007
- Bachelor of Science (BS), Polymer Fiber Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2012
- Blueprint Engine Showcase
The Engine, 10/24/2025
Ericka Ford - Extrusion of Polysaccharide Fibers
Pacifichem 2025, 12/1/2025
Ericka Ford
