#5 Research Initiatives -Eliana Johnson:

 Cotton and flax are Natural Cellulosic fibers. this means that it burns and smells like burning paper or wood. When it is completely burned, it turns into a fine gray ash. Wool and silk are natural protein fibers that burn and smell more like burning hair or feathers, although the smell is stronger in wool. When removed from the fire, it stops burning and is a black hollow bead that can be crushed into a black powder when burned. Rayon is an artificial cellulosic fiber that burns and smells like burning paper or wood and turns into a fine gray ash like the natural cellulosic fibers. Polyester is an artificial fiber that shrinks from the heat, melts, burns, and can also potentially drip. It smells like chemicals and is sweet. It leaves behind a hard cream or black colored bead that cannot be crushed. Nylon is also an artificial fiber that burns in the same general way polyester does but smells like celery. Acrylic is similar but sputters when it is burning and has an acrid smell. Acetate smells like burning cellulosic fibers while still being an artificial fiber. 

In Tennessee, cotton fields play a crucial role in daily life, providing materials for clothing, food products, soaps, and cosmetics. Farmers cultivate cotton on hundreds of thousands of acres, contributing over $3 billion to the state economy. The growing process starts in April, utilizing advanced technology to tackle challenges like weeds and pests. Mechanical harvesters efficiently collect the mature cotton, which is then processed at gins to separate the lint from the seeds. The seeds are used for oil production, while the leftover meal becomes animal feed. A single cotton bale can create hundreds of garments, underscoring cotton's importance as a renewable resource in everyday life.

Making bamboo starts with harvesting, which needs to be cut as clean as possible to allow new shoots to grow and naturally replenish. Then the stalks are cut into smaller pieces. Once cut into small enough pieces, they are soaked in approved liquids. The bamboo pulp is produced while soaking which is then dried into sheets. Once dried, the sheets of pulp are ground and spun into bamboo fibers.