Doctor of Philosophy
Supervisor: Dr. Jane Batcheller
Thesis working title: Development of wildland firefighters protective clothing systems with improved thermal insulation properties.
Wildland firefighters risk their health to prevent fires from spreading by performing fatiguing activities (e.g., felling trees, removing brush, and digging barrier trenches), while facing hot weather, smoke, radiant heat, and open flame. Their personal protective clothing (PPC) is designed to insulate against high thermal exposure and flame, while still providing ventilation for evaporation of perspiration to minimize physiological strain. Researchers at the U of A have shown that PPC may not protect areas of the body in direct contact with the garment fabric (e.g., upper torso and shoulders) when tested in simulated flash-fire/instrumented manikin systems. These areas often show more burn injuries than areas where an air gap between the fabric and skin is maintained. My research is focused on the development and evaluation of a garment design to improve wildland firefighters’ protective clothing by incorporating a flame-resistant, lightweight, and porous 3D spacer material into problematic areas of the garment. The spacer material entraps still air and creates air gaps where needed. It is anticipated that the new garment design will help prevent burn injuries without significantly adding to the weight or reducing the permeability of the fabric.
Publications and other research contributions:
Scientific reports:
Dolez, P., Batcheller, J., Harynuk, J., de la Mata, P., Schmidt, S., & Kosareva, E. (2021) Rechargeable, self-decontaminating personal protective equipment and operational clothing and equipment for personnel responding to events involving biological hazards. Report prepared for the Department of National Defence, Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS).
Kosareva, E., McQueen, R., & Batcheller, J. (2021) Review of the literature on the role of fibre, yarn, and fabric structure on the interactions between fabric and human skin. Report prepared for Sportswear Manufacturer.
Kosareva, E., Dolez, P., & Batcheller, J. (2021) Characterization of selected facemask materials for protection against COVID-19 virus. Report prepared for the NSERC Alliance COVID-19 grant program. Project title: High-performance homemade masks for protection against COVID-19 virus.
Kosareva, E., McQueen, R., & Batcheller, J. (2019) Textile structure and fibre content analysis of materials for water filtration technology with advanced oxidation system. Report prepared for BioLargo Water Inc.
Presentations:
Kosareva, E. Batcheller, J., & Paskaluk, S. (2021, March 10) Comparison of bench-scale test methods for measuring heat transmission through wildland firefighters’ protective clothing systems [Poster presentation]. Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences (ALES) Graduate Virtual Research Symposium, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Kosareva, E. Batcheller, J., & Paskaluk, S. (2021, March 29) Comparison of bench-scale test methods for measuring heat transmission through wildland firefighters’ protective clothing systems [Conference oral presentation]. Institute of textile science (ITS) scientific session, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Kosareva, E. (2012, March 10) Artistic and constructive solutions in designing raincoats for women [Poster presentation]. Perspective 2012: VIII International competition of designers’ projects, Moscow, Russia.
Kosareva, E. (2011) Designing of new generation school uniform: novel solutions of armhole-sleeve joint design and method of application of soil-repellent coating on fabric [Conference presentation]. Innovations of the Youth Science 2011: conference of young scientists, St. Petersburg, Russia.
Kosareva, E., & Baskova, O. (2008) Improvement of adhesive strength of adhesive bonds of fabric interfacing [Conference presentation]. Science Days 2008: scientific and technical conference, St. Petersburg, Russia.
Kosareva, E., Baskova, O., & Shumatbaev, A. (2007) Study of the effects of radiotelephone radiation on the human body [Conference presentation]. Science days 2007: All-Russian scientific and technical conference of students and postgraduates, St. Petersburg, Russia.
Kosareva, E. (2006) Investigation of the advantage of a hollow wheel for speed gain compared to a solid: calculation and comparison of the moment of inertia of hollow and solid cylinders with the same mass [Conference presentation]. Science days 2006: All-Russian scientific and technical conference of students and postgraduates, St. Petersburg, Russia.
Publications & conference proceedings:
Diankova, T. Yu., Lvov, D.S., & Kosareva, E.S. (2012). Additive effects in the water-repellent finish of polyester and polyamide fibre. Collection of reports of the All-Russian scientific and technical conference: Current Trends of Information Technologies Development in Textile Science and Practice (pp. 8-13), Russia
Kosareva, E. S. (2011). Designing of new generation school uniform: novel solutions of armhole-sleeve joint design and method of application of soil-repellent coating on fabric. News of young scientists of St. Petersburg State University of Technology and Design, 202-203
Poroshina, E. V., Baskova O. Yu., Kosareva, E. S., & Diankova, T. Yu. (2008). Improvement of adhesive strength of adhesion bonds of fabric interfacing. Young Scientists for Textile and Consumer Goods Industry Development (Search – 2008): Source Book of Inter-university Scientific and Technical Conference of Students and Postgraduates. Part 1. (pp. 82-83), Russia
Baskova O. Yu., Kosareva, E. S., Diankova, T. Yu., Tsobkalo, E. S. (2008). Analysis of adhesion bond strength of fabric interfacing. Issues of Economics and Advanced Technologies in Textile, Consumer Goods and Polygraphic Manufacturing Sectors. (pp. 73), Russia