Sharon Obendorf
Professor
2008
FSADWeb Bio Page
Current Activities
Current Professional Activities
- Fiber Society
- American Chemical Society
- American Oil Chemists' Society
- American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
- ASTM (D13, F23)
- International Textiles and Apparel Association
- American Association of Family and Consumer Science
Current Research Activities
In the field of fiber science, analytical electron microscopy and spectroscopy are used to evaluate the surface chemistry of fibers and films as related to the performance of these materials. Active projects are underway in areas of protective clothing and air quality. Specific research projects are selected to address issues of health and safety, preservation of the environment, and basic science and technology of polymers and fibers.
Protective Clothing and Indoor Air Quality: Research to limit the dermal and biological exposure of agricultural, horticultural, and lawn care workers to pesticides, military and chemical personnel to toxins, and medical care personnel and first responders/receivers through protective clothing is on-going. Novel membranes with engineered pore structures for use in protective clothing are being developed using microporous polymer membranes and electrospun fibrous membranes. In addition, we are studying decontamination mechanisms of fibers containing metal oxide. Current research is investigating the self-decontaminating fiber formation and performance of these active fiber surfaces to reduce volatile organics in indoor air.
Detergency and Fabric Care: Research funded by the surfactants and detergent industry investigated soils on textile materials and their removal. The underlying chemistry of the soils and their interaction with various fibers was determined increasing the basic understanding of this everyday phenomenon such as adsorption of aroma chemicals and fabric softener on cotton fibers. Use of backscattered electron imaging and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis allow the determination of the distribution of compounds such as oily soil, aroma chemicals, spin finishes, and fabric softeners within the fabric and fiber structure.
Biography
Education
Ph.D. 1976 - Cornell University Physical Chemistry
M.S. 1974 - Cornell University Physical Chemistry
M.S. 1963 - University of Illinois Textiles
B.S. 1962 - Kansas State University Clothing and Textiles
Administrative Responsibilities
Senior Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education
Courses, Websites, Pubs
Related Websites
http://www.human.cornell.edu/bio.cfm?netid=sko3
http://nimss.umd.edu/homepages/home.cfm?trackID=8919
Selected Publications
Obendorf, S.K., Liu, H., Tan, K., Leonard, M.J.,Young, T.J., and Incorvia, M.J., Adsorption of Aroma Chemicals on Cotton Fabric in Different Aqueous Environments, Journal of Surfactants and Detergents, on-line (2009).
Lee, S. and Obendorf, S.K., Use of Electrospun Nanofiber Web for Protective Textile Materials as Barriers to Liquid Penetration, Textile Research Journal, 77:696-702 (2007).
Tan, K. and Obendorf, S.K., Fabrication and evaluation of electrospun nanofibrous antimicrobial nylon 6 membranes, Journal of Membrane Science, 305:287-298 (2007).
Obendorf, S.K., Kim, J., and Kuniz, R., Measurement of Odor Development Due to Bacterial Action on Antimicrobial Polyester Fabrics, AATCC Review, 7(7):35-40 (2007).
Lee, S. and Obendorf, S.K., Transport Properties of Layered Fabric Systems Based on Eclectrospun Nanofibers, Fibers and Polymers, 8(5), 501-506 (2007).
Ahn, C. and Obendorf, S.K., GC-MS Analysis of Curcumin Dye after Selective Degradation Treatment, Fibers and Polymers, 8(3), 278-283 (2007).
Lee, S. and Obendorf, S.K., Barrier Effectiveness and Thermal Comfort of Protective Clothing Materials, Journal of the Textile Institute, 98:87-97 (2007).
Tan, K. and Obendorf, S.K., Development of an antimicrobial microporous polyurethane membrane, Journal of Membrane Science, 289:199–209(2007)
Lee, S. and Obendorf, S..K., Developing Protective Textile Materials as Barriers to Liquid Penetration Using Melt-Electrospinning, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 102: 3430-3437 (2006),
Fok, W.Y., Hild, D.N., and Obendorf, S.K., Autoxidation of Spin Finishes, Textile Research Journal, 76:614-618 (2006).
Ahn C, and Obendorf SK, GC-MS analysis of dyes extracted from turmeric, Fibers and Polymers, 7 (2): 158-163 (2006).
Petrick, L.M., Hild, D.N., and Obendorf, S.K., Observations of Soiling of Nylon 66 Carpet Fibers, Textile Research Journal, 76:253-260 (2006)
Obendorf, S.K., Liu, H., Young, T.J., and Incorvia,M.J., Effect of Vapor Pressure of Aroma Chemicals on Their Retention on Cotton and Polyester Fabrics, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 99:1720-1723 (2006)
Obendorf, S.K., Lemley, A.T., Hedge, A., Kline, A.A., Tan,K., and Dokuchayeva, T.,Distribution of Pesticide Residue within Homes in Central New York State, Archive of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 50:31-44 (2006)
Tan, K., and Obendorf, S.K., Surface Modification of Microporous Polyurethane Membrane with Poly(ethylene glycol) to Develop a Hybrid Membrane, Journal of Membrane Science 274:150–158 (2006).
Ahn, C., and Obendorf, S.K., Analysis of Degradation Products in Madder Dyed Fabrics in Selective Degradation Conditions, Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles, 29: 1608-1618 (2005)
Lee, S. and Obendorf, S.K., Statistical Model of Pesticide Penetration through Woven Work Clothing Fabrics, Archive of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 49:266-273 (2005).
Liu, H., Obendorf, S.K., Leonard, M.J., Young, T.J., and Incorvia, M.J., Distribution of aroma chemicals on textile fibers, Perfumer & Flavorist, Vol. 30, March/April 2005, p. 54-60.