Development of the Process for Regenerated Cellulose Fibers via the Carbamate Pathway
Research Goal
Develop a new process for producing regenerated fibers that have a lower impact on extreme weather than viscose rayon.
Project Description
Develop a pilot-scale process for the spinning of regenerated cellulose fibers via the carbamate pathway.
Impact
This creates a new pathway for developing synthetic fibers – that reduces reliance on petroleum-based polymers and harsh chemicals – and expands opportunities for alternative sources of cellulose (like soy, wheat, waste cotton, hemp) to be made into textile fibers.
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
- Multiscale Carbamation of Cellulose Derived from Wood Pulp
NCSU, REU, 7/30/2025
Ericka Ford, Hajara Byobo
