SVPITM organises workshop on technical textiles

Department of Handlooms and Textiles, Government of Tamil Nadu and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International School of Textiles and Management (SVPITM) has jointly organised
a seminar on technical textiles and its opportunities
in defense sector at CODISSIA trade fair complex, Coimbatore. The seminar was part of the TEX TN, Textile product exhibition, organised by the Department of Handlooms and Textiles. The seminar was organised
on the forenoon session of January 28, 2019.

The existing and budding textile entrepreneurs in
and around Tamil Nadu were the target audience.
A total of 180 participants from textile as well as other industries were benefitted by the event.

The welcome address was delivered by Anitha,
Faculty – SVPITM. Mohanraj, Head-Textiles, SVPITM, deliberated the participants on the various outcomes
of the programme. Dr K Karnan, Additional Director, Department of Handlooms and Textiles, presided over
the programme. Kumar Jayant IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Handlooms and Textiles graced that occasion and interacted with resource persons on that recent developments in defense sector.

The seminar was delivered by two expert speakers:

• Neha Kapil, Sr. Scientific Officer, North Indian Textile Research Association (NITRA), Centre of Excellence for Protech, Ghaziabad.
• Dr R Indu Shekar, Scientist F, Defense Bio Engineering and Electro Medical Laboratory (DEBL), Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Bangalore.

Neha Kapil presented on the topic, ‘NITRA Initiative in Protective Textiles: Special Attention on Riot Control Body Protector’. She introduced various services offered by Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA). It is an organisation established by the Ministry of Textiles
in 1974 for conducting applied scientific research and providing support services to Indian textile industry.

Neha deliberated about Riot Control body Protectors. She briefed the participants on the various features that
a garment should include so that it can be used as Riot Control body Protectors. She gave an complete overview of the various parts that are part of the riot control body protectors. During a riot the control personnel are prone to come in contact with various attacks like mob pushing, stone pelting, stabbing using knife, acid and etc. So for that the personnel are required to wear a garment
which is protective for all the above said hazards.
For developing such garments a series of processes
are required. The first process is knowing the requirements. Then to identify suitable polymeric material which might be used for such uses.

It has been found that the major challenge is to enhance the stab and impact resistance. Polymers which exhibit maximum stab and impact resistance are suitable for composite fabric preparation. Composite materials with required characteristics will replace plastic and
foam machines in riot control body protector.

Dr R Indu Shekar presented on the topic, ‘Design and development of personal protective clothing, Protective Systems and Life Saving equipment for Aerospace Applications’. DRDO is an agency of the Government
of India, charged with the military’s research and development. It was established in the year 1958.

During his speech Dr Sekar briefed the participants on the Integrated Life Support System (ILSS).