EPISODE 6
- Catherine Mondoa
- Apr 26, 2023
- 1 min read
Updated: Jun 13, 2023
WOOL: A RE-EVALUATION
WITH SARA JOHN & DR. STEVE MCNEIL
In this episode, Catherine interviews textile chemist and bio-based materials scientist Dr. Steve McNeil and wool producer, dyer, spinner, weaver, and design activist Sara John. We discuss the value, properties, processing, and future scope of wool.
Click the links below to further connect with Sara and Steve!
Sara John:
Dr. Steve McNeil:
Dr. McNeil's current research is directed towards improving the performance of natural dyes on wool, with respect to colourfastness to light and washing. He is also investigating extracting wool from post-consumer products and converting it into aerogels.
Further resources:
Dr. McNeil's most recent wool publications: Enhancing the wash fastness of disperse dyes on wool with oxidants. McNeil, S.J. & Zaitseva, L.I. Coloration Technology, 2020, 136, 231–243. https://doi.org/10.1111/cote.12453
Continuous dyeing of wool fabrics in solid colours McNeil, S.J. & Leighs, S.J. International Dyer, 2019, 1, 22-25. (sorry, there is no link)
The application of biosurfactants for scouring wool. Leighs, S.J., McNeil, S.J. & Ranford, S.L. (2018). Coloration Technology, 2018, 135, 48-52. https://doi.org/10.1111/cote.12370
Other recent publications that have a strong materials flavour:
The initial development and evaluation of cross-linked casein films for sustainable footwear. Indrie, L., McNeil, S., Mutlu, M.M., Bota, S., Ilieș, D.C. & Karavana H.A. Coatings, 2023. 13 (2), 217. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13020217
Emerging applications of aerogels in textiles. McNeil, S.J. & Gupta, H. Polymer Testing, 2022, 106, 107426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2021.107426
The utilisation of wool as a catalyst and as a support for catalysts. McNeil, S.J., Sunderland, M.R. & Leighs, S.J. Applied Catalysis A: General, 2017, 541, 120-140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcata.2017.04.021
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