Interests:
My research areas includes three areas: (1) color theory, standards, and measurement, and effective communication of color through the consumer-designer-dyer-manufacturer-marketer network; (2) degradation of textile materials, with particular emphasis on the effects of light and weathering; (3) investigation of the mechanisms by which textiles and other polymeric materials either facilitate or retard the transmission of heat, water air or particles, and how this influences the comfort and safety of people who wear or use these materials. Recent work in these areas is directed towards assessment and improvement of product quality, and the development and understanding of performance standards and testing. A current project on cotton fiber quality is directed toward improvement of the methods used to determine color of raw cotton fiber. This involves correlation of instrumental color measurements with the USDA visual grading system. Methods are being evaluated for separating cotton fiber color from color of extraneous material present in cotton samples.

Education:

Selected Publications/Presentations:
Collier, B.J., & Epps, H.H. (1999). Textile testing and analysis. Prentice Hall.

Epps, H.H. (1997). Communication and specification of color in the global marketplace. Confluences: Fashioning Intercultural Perspectives. ITAA and Universite de la Mode.

Epps, H. H., & Leonas, K. K. (1997). The relationship between porosity and air permeability of woven textile fabrics. Journal of Testing and Evaluation, 25(1), 89-94.