Saminathan Ratnapandian

Application of Natural Dyes by Padding Technique on Textiles
A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Saminathan Ratnapandian
B. Tech. (Textile Technology), M.S. (Textile Technology)
School of Fashion and Textiles Design and Social Context Portfolio RMIT University

i
March 2013

Declaration

I, Saminathan Ratnapandian, certify that:

1. 
   Except where due acknowledgement has been made, the work is that of the author alone.
   
2. 
   The work has not been submitted previously, in whole or in part, to qualify for any other academic award.
   
3. 
   The content of the thesis is the result of work which has been carried out since the official commencement date of the approved research program.
   
4. 
   Any editorial work, paid or unpaid, carried out by a third party is acknowledged and,
   
5. 
   Ethics procedures and guidelines have been followed.
   

Saminathan Ratnapandian

Date 4.09.2013

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Acknowledgements

I express my deepest gratitude to my supervisors Associate Professor Dr Lijing Wang and Mr Stanley M. Fergusson for their continuous guidance, support and encouragement during all phases of my doctoral research. Dr Wang focused me on defining and describing a structured path towards my ultimate goal. Mr Fergusson shared his invaluable knowledge of textile colouration.

I place on record my heartfelt thanks to Associate Professor Dr Rajiv Padhye, Director, Centre for Advanced Materials and Performance Textiles, for his technical, administrative and moral support. I appreciate the input of Adjunct Professor Dr Max White during the initial stages of the research. I am grateful to Mr Keith Cowlishaw, Head of School, who kindly provided a clear path regarding all administrative matters.

I express my gratitude to Ms Fiona Gavens, Administrative Officer, for assisting, guiding and when needed chasing me down in regards to all administration related matters. I thank Mr Martin Gregory and Ms Geraldine Van Lint for ensuring the availability of laboratory resources.

Ms Trudy Orchard and Ms Fiona Greygoose from Textile Testing Services, deserve special mention for sharing their technical knowledge and graciously permitting the use of their facilities. I thank Mr Clive Skelchy and Ms Michelle Matheson from RMIT library, for ensuring that all available resources were made accessible for my research. I thank all the academic and non-academic staff at the RMIT Brunswick campus that helped me during my research. I am grateful to Dr Muthu Pannirselvam and Ms Zahra Homan from RMIT city campus for their technical input and time while permitting use of their laboratory.

I thank Dr Maryam Naebe, Deakin University, for her help in plasma treatment experiments. I appreciate the efforts of Ms Mary-Jo O’Rourke, Accredited Editor, for editing and proof-reading this work.

I am grateful for the financial support provided by RMIT University through the RUIRS scholarship and DVC (R&I) postgraduate research student international conference grant.
I am fortunate to have had a supportive peer group that included Dr Saniyat Islam, Mr Amit Jadhav, Mr Javid Jalvandi, Dr Sinnappoo Kanesalingam, Mr Farzad Mohaddes and Dr Rajkishore Nayak. I thank them for their camaraderie, constructive criticism and enthusiastic encouragement.

Last but not least, my wife, S. P. Vijayaraanee, deserves a special note of thanks for her love, encouragement, understanding and support. I could not have carried out my research without the love and sacrifice of my parents-in-law and I am indebted to them. I am grateful for the fond memories of my daughters who found it funny that, just like them dad was also going to school.