Majid Sarmadi

Background & Interests:

Majid Sarmadi received his PhD from Virginia tech in 1986 in Textile Science. A Rothermel Bascom Professor, he directs graduate students in the Materials Science graduate program and the textile science specialization of the School of Human Ecology: Design Studies graduate degree. He is also a member of faculty of the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. His research focus includes: Chemical properties and structures of textile fibers; plasma modifications of materials, wettability, dyeing and finishing. His teaching and research incorporate the topic of sustainability.

He has received many Awards including: the Harold Dewitt Smith Memorial Medal presented by ASTM International, 2002; Certificate of Recognition, Supreme Court of Wisconsin2009; Certificate of Appreciation, PEOPLE program-UW-Madison, 2009. Faculty Professional Excellence Award, 1997; Certificate of Award for second place paper, Inter-sectional Technical Paper Competition, International Technical Conference, AATCC, 1995; Certificate of Award for Excellence in Outreach, School of Human Ecology UW-Madison, 1990. Certificate of Award for third place paper, Inter-sectional Technical Paper Competition, International Technical Conference, AATCC, 1987; Certificate of Award for second place paper, Intersectional Technical Paper Competition, National Technical Conference AATCC, 1984.

He is the author and coauthor of more than 60 scientific papers and holds four patents in the area of dyeing, finishing, and plasma modification of films and fibrous materials. He has also served as consultant for textile and related industries, state procurement offices, and judicial system on issues such as wettability, dyeability, flammability, and minimum specifications for carpet and other textile materials.

He has also served as consultant to Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) which serves more than 220,000 students with a building budget of 5.7 Billion Dollars. The Carpet specification that Professor Sarmadi wrote for LACCDis one of his most important contributions to the textile industry and the world as a whole. Professional magazine such as College Planning & Management and some news papers have called his specifications” Best Practices.” Sarmadi’s Sustainable Carpet Project saved more than 40 million dollars for the State of California on one contract alone. The project has received 16 different awards such as:

California’s Governor's Award for Energy and Environmental Leadership
Awards from US Senate and US Congress
Many Awards from California’s Senate and Congress
Award from the Mayor of Los Angeles

Professor Sarmadi's work connects him with Forestry, Chemistry, CPAM, Materials Science, Medical School, and Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies.

Graduate Student Research Topics (PhD):

Enzyme Immobilization on Plasma Functionalized Synthetic Polymers

Plasma Modification of Textiles

Recycling of Fibrous Material: Spray Fractionation Mechanism

Effect of Plasma Treatment on Surface Characteristics of Synthetic Fibers

Characterization and Preservation of Weighted Silk (Advisors: Gordon and Sarmadi)