Dana Vidal

Textile Design, Technology and Innovation MSc, graduate (Now Sustainable Textile Technologies MSc)

Dana took a placement year option during her studies on the Textile Design, Technology and Innovation MSc. During her year-long internship researching lifesaving materials, Dana commented on her experience saying that she was having “the time of her life”. Dana secured a placement with Baltex in Nottingham. Baltex is one of the leading suppliers of high-performance technical textiles to the police, armed forces and military industries. The company’s R&D section is constantly updating and developing the materials to increase performance, comfort, breathability and safety.

Dana, was able to use skills and techniques learned on the course during her internship. She said: “I’ve been testing, inspecting and also reviewing data about the risks, then we can predict how it’s going to behave in the field. The materials have to be breathable but also strong because it has to protect people. This company’s materials could literally save their lives. It’s so exciting to be working in the field and to see the applications of what we study on the course. It has been an incredible experience. Finding this course has really allowed me to combine my passions and interests.”

Before joining the Master’s at DMU, Dana had worked in engineering and fashion, joining the course from a role as a textile consultant.

After completing her placement year, Dana went on to analyse the performance of plastic-free knitted fabrics for activewear in her final dissertation. Her research demonstrated the possibility of partially replacing elastane in activewear fabrics, through the use of the novel fibre Sorona®.

Dana Vidal said she had “the time of her life” on her year-long internship researching lifesaving materials.

Biodegradation - end-of-life management of textiles