Textiles Extension Associate Director Honored with Prestigious Extension Award
In a significant move, the Textile Innovation Engine (The Engine) of North Carolina was recently established with up to $160 million in grant funding [1]. The Engine's mission is to accelerate the nation's and North Carolina's capacity for advancing sustainable textile industry innovation.
At the helm of The Engine is Melissa Sharp, who serves as the Deputy CEO and leads its research and development efforts. Sharp's work has been instrumental in driving sustainable innovation in the textile industry, particularly in North Carolina [2].
Sharp's accomplishments include advancing circularity and sustainability in textiles. She is leading research on new regenerative and bio-based materials sourced from plants and microorganisms, such as polymers derived from carbohydrates, starches, and proteins [1]. This research, conducted in collaboration with NC State University, aims to commercialize sustainable fibers and textiles.
Sharp has also helped to form a textile circularity consortium that connects product designers, researchers, manufacturers, and textile waste collectors to collaboratively address challenges in textile recycling and circular economy solutions [1].
In addition, Sharp serves as a key figure in the North Carolina Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (NC DMCSP), a 5-year initiative that fosters innovation in smart and sustainable textiles for military and defense applications. This program unites over 30 organizations and supports technology development, industry growth, and sustainability within North Carolina’s textile sector [2].
Sharp's impact extends beyond The Engine. She has been credited with driving sustainable innovation and raising the global profile of the Wilson College of Textiles at NC State [2]. Sharp has also been instrumental in updating the curriculum at over 100 high schools across North Carolina through a collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction [1].
Moreover, Sharp is helping to establish a new Hemp Consortium to build a robust supply chain for hemp fiber in North Carolina [1]. This consortium brings together stakeholders from various professions to solve key industry challenges and meet consumer needs.
Sharp's work with The Engine has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to addressing real-world challenges, promoting economic development, and fostering sustainability. Her efforts have been recognised with the Outstanding Extension Award in 2020 and 2013 [1].
In a letter supporting Sharp's nomination, Andre West, ZTE director, noted her collaborative approach that helped procure more than $435,000 in industry funding for NC State initiatives [1]. Award recipients of NC State's Outstanding Extension Award become nominees for induction into the Academy of Outstanding Faculty in Extension and Engagement [1].
Sharp's work with The Engine addressed key issues such as waste reduction, energy efficiency, and the circular economy [2]. A multi-year strategy for The Textile Innovation Engine is being designed, with Sharp's input, which includes six new research and development projects focused on sustainable textile innovation in North Carolina [2].
In conclusion, Melissa Sharp's work is paving the way for a more sustainable and innovative textile industry in North Carolina. Her dedication to research, collaboration, and education is driving positive change and positioning North Carolina as a leader in sustainable textile innovation.
References: [1] https://news.ncsu.edu/2021/05/melissa-sharp-engine-textile-innovation/ [2] https://news.ncsu.edu/2021/05/melissa-sharp-engine-textile-innovation-2/
- The Textile Innovation Engine (The Engine) of North Carolina, with Melissa Sharp at the helm, aims to extend the nation's and North Carolina's capacity for advancing sustainable textile industry innovation through innovation, research, and design.
- Sharp is leading research on textile extension, focusing on the development of new regenerative and bio-based materials sourced from plants and microorganisms, promoting sustainability in the textiles sector.
- Education-and-self-development is a crucial aspect of Sharp's work, as she collaborates with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to update the curriculum at over 100 high schools across North Carolina.
- Sharp is also instrumental in the formation of the Hemp Consortium, working to build a robust supply chain for hemp fiber in North Carolina and fostering sustainability in the textile supply chain.
