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.
Jane's research focuses on three main areas: Protective Clothing and Equipment, Textile Analysis and Care, and Archeological Textiles.
HECOL 270 Applications of Textile Science
HECOL 370 Quality Assurance for Textiles and Apparel
HECOL 476/576 Textile Analysis and Care
Current Graduate Students:
Mary Glasper (MSc): Galleria mellonella silk.
Michelle Furnald (MSc): Textile and Apparel Science.
Completed Students:
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.
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.
Winter Term 2022Exploration of quality assurance of textiles and apparel through materials testing. Performance of textiles relative to product standards and specifications. Prerequisite: HECOL 270.
Fall Term 2021Deterioration 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.
Fall Term 2021Deterioration 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.
Fall Term 2021