ITC Researches Granted Detection Method PatentResearchers at the International Textile Center (ITC)
at Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, have been granted a patent from the US Patent Office for
a cotton stickiness detection method.Eric Hequet and Noureddine Abidi developed a multi-temperature
testing system to grade cotton according to its stickiness. The results can help growers and
spinners accurately identify different types of cotton to prevent problems that may occur during
further processing. Funding for the research was provided by Cotton Incorporated and the Texas Food
and Fibers Commission.Although the technology is not yet available to the industry, the researchers
would like to commercialize it and currently are seeking industrial partners to help them reach
this goal.
October 2003
