The Fiber Science Program focuses on the study of fibrous materials and their use in a variety of conventional and non-conventional applications.
With the help of a Special Committee, each student in the field plans an individualized course of study linking his or her background and interests with the extensive educational resources of Cornell University. In addition, two minor areas of study are required of Ph.D. students and one minor area is required of M.S. and M.A. students. Often students select minors in the physical sciences, engineering, economics, marketing, computer science, communication, or other fields within the Graduate School. Students may select minors depending on their previous specializations; educational preparation in textiles, or polymer science, and/or apparel; mathematics, chemistry, physics, or economics.
Students may undertake research in such areas as high-performance fibers and fiber-reinforced composites, detergency and surface chemistry, textile materials in geotechnical and biomedical applications, polymers for electronics, and textile dye chemistry.
The current research areas of faculty members include surface modification of high-performance fibers for composites, novel techniques for fiber and polymer morphology studies, protective clothing for agricultural, industrial, and medical workers, electrostatic technique for fiber spinning, fully degradable "green" composites, reinforcement of cement concrete by fibers, synthesis of biologically active biodegradable fibers, role of free radicals in degradation of biodegradable fibers, novel chemical synthesis of degradable polymers, and fibers for tissue engineering and regeneration. Fiber science is actively pursued by faculty from various departments. These include the department of textiles and apparel, chemical engineering, chemistry, civil engineering, materials science and engineering, and theoretical and applied mechanics.
For information about applying, see our admissions pages.
