Jane Batcheller, PhD

About

As the Principal Investigator of the Protective Clothing and Equipment Research Facility (PCERF), Jane oversees research conducted to address the conflicting phenomena of protection and comfort. Such research includes assessing the physiological strain of protective clothing, and evaluating fabric performance against hot liquid, steam, and flame hazards.

Jane is also the supervisor of the Textile Analysis Service (TAS), which was established in 1970. TAS conducts textile testing and analysis for the public, and carries out research related to textile serviceability problems and standardized textile testing. In addition, TAS provides an educational service for the department, by providing current examples of textile serviceability problems for classes, and by employing textile science students part-time to assist with testing and analysis problems. 

Jane’s background includes an MA and PhD in Textile Archaeology from the University of Manchester. She is interested in textile fibre microscopy, and has several publications related to the identification of animal hair fibres in ancient Roman-Egyptian textiles.

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Research

Jane's research focuses on three main areas: Protective Clothing and Equipment, Textile Analysis and Care, and Archeological Textiles.

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Teaching

HECOL 270 Applications of Textile Science 

• This course focuses on the application and advancement of textile knowledge acquired in HECOL 170. Techniques for fabric and fibre identification are introduced. Methods of textile production, finishing, coloration, as well as care and maintenance are addressed.

HECOL 370 Quality Assurance for Textiles and Apparel

• This course explores quality assurance of textile products and the prediction of end-use performance through fabric testing and evaluation with reference to product standards and specifications.

HECOL 476/576 Textile Analysis and Care

• Deterioration and preservation of modern and historical textiles is addressed. Macro and micro evidence is combined with theories of fibre degradation and textile soiling to identify the causes of material wear, discolouration and failure during the normal use, care and storage of textiles. Methods of wet and dry cleaning and special precautions for the care of ancient and historical textiles are covered.

Current Graduate Students:

Elena Kosareva (PhD): Wildland firefighters' protective clothing with improved thermal insulation properties.

Bronwyn Bates (MSc): Textile and Apparel Science.

Completed Students:

Diana Yehia (2021). Investigation of support fabrics for graphene-based end-of-life sensors for fire protective garments. MSc Thesis.

Mary Glasper (2018). Collection, processing and characterization of Galleria mellonella silk. MSc Thesis.

Michelle Furnald (2018). Textile and Apparel Science (MSc CB).

Mandal, S. (2016). Studies of thermal protective performance of textile fabrics used in firefighters’ clothing under various thermal exposures. PhD Thesis.

Wen, S. (2014). Physiological strain and physical burden of chemical protective coveralls. PhD Thesis.

Van Keulen, M. (2014). Evaluating the thermophysiological comfort properties of wet fabrics in winter clothing. MSc Thesis.

Murtaza, G. (2012). Development of fabrics for steam and hot water protection. MSc Thesis.

HECOL 270 - Applications of Textile Science

Advancement of textile concepts introduced in HECOL 170 with an emphasis on textile finishing, colouration, care and maintenance. Techniques for fibre identification and yarn and fabric structural analysis are covered. Prerequisite: HECOL 170.

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HECOL 370 - Quality Assurance for Textiles and Apparel

Exploration of quality assurance of textiles and apparel through materials testing. Performance of textiles relative to product standards and specifications. Prerequisite: HECOL 270.

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HECOL 476 - Textile Analysis and Care

Deterioration and preservation of modern and historical textiles are investigated. Macro and microscopic evidence are combined with theories of fibre degradation and textile soiling to identify the causes of wear, discoloration and failure during the normal use, care and storage of textiles. Theory related to the cleaning of textiles will include detergency, bleaching, dry-cleaning and specialized procedures for historical textiles. Prerequisite: HECOL 270. Normally offered in alternate years.

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HECOL 490 - Independent Investigation in Human Ecology

Independent project or study of a topic in human ecology planned by the student with an instructor. Open to human ecology students only. Prerequisite: successful completion of 75 units, application to Department, and consent of Instructor.

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HECOL 576 - Textile Analysis and Care

Deterioration and preservation of modern and historical textiles are investigated. Macro and microscopic evidence are combined with theories of fibre degradation and textile soiling to identify the causes of wear, discoloration and failure during the normal use, care and storage of textiles. Theory related to the cleaning of textiles will include detergency, bleaching, dry-cleaning and specialized procedures for historical textiles. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Normally offered in alternate years. Not to be taken if credit received for HECOL 476.

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Browse more courses taught by Jane Batcheller

Murtaza, G., Batcheller, J. C., Paskaluk, S. A., and Ackerman, M. Y.

Performance of Protective Clothing and Equipment: 10th Volume, Risk Reduction Through Research and Testing. 2016 January;

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Zhang, H., McQueen, R. H., Batcheller, J. C., Paskaluk, S. and Murtaza, G.

Textile Research Journal. 2016 January; 85 (20)

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Wen, S., Batcheller, J., and Petersen, S.

Performance of Protective Clothing and Equipment: 10th Volume, Risk Reduction Through Research and Testing. 2016 January;

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Crown, E. M. and Batcheller, J. C.

Handbook of technical textiles, 2nd Edition, technical textile application. 2016 January;

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Wen, S., Peterson, S., McQueen, R. H. and Batcheller, J.

Ergonomics. 2015 January;

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Ackerman, M., Batcheller, J., and Paskaluk, S.

AATCC Journal of Research. 2015 January; 2 (2)

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Batcheller, J.C.

Scientific Analysis of Ancient and Historic Textiles: Informing Preservation, Display and Interpretation. 2005 January;

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Batcheller, J

The Roman textile industry and its influence. 2001 January;