Dr Muriel Laure Aude Rigout

Profile

I trained as a chemist, graduating from the University of Kent with a first class honours degree in Chemistry in 2001. I then turned to the fascinating world of Colour Science and Textile Chemistry, first while undertaking my PhD studies (which she obtained in 2005) then through a series of successful research projects ranging as far and wide as the high temperature dyeing of wool, to the inkjet printing of haptic surface effects and the development of novel colour-changing systems, all undertaken in the department of Colour and Polymer Chemistry, University of Leeds. I then ventured overseas and took up a post as visiting scholar at Heilongjiang University, China, studying electroluminescent nanosilica materials. I returned to the UK to work for Pharma Ink Ltd. in 2007, developing novel security inks for the anti-counterfeiting of pharmaceutical products. I later embraced the opportunity to return to academia and joined the department of Textiles and Paper, School of Materials, University of Manchester, as a lecturer in Textile Coloration and Chemistry in 2008. In 2015, Ijoined the University of Leeds, School of Design, as Associate Professor in Textile Printing and Design.  

I am part of the Education, Qualification and Accreditation Board and the Publication Committee of the Society of Dyers and Colourists, and a reviewer for a number of international journals.

Responsibilities

• programme Manager BA Fashion Technology

Research interests

My research expertise is centered on Textile Coloration and Finishing, in particular Novel Colour Effects (Colour-change, iridescence, etc. I have particular interests in developing Digital Print Technology (ink-jet printing) on textiles and fibrous substrates. This includes Novel Visual Effects by Digital Printing, Multi-Sensory Effects by Digital Printing (haptics, olfactory effects) and introducing Novel Functionalities into textiles by digital printing. Other interests span the development of Sustainable / Green routes in Textile Coloration and Processing to lower the environmental impact of textiles, including reactive dye chemistry, easy-care finishing, and coloration of eco-friendly fibres. In addition, I have developed interest and expertise in conservation science focused on characterising historical textile materials with a view to better presentation and long term stability.

• Biofilm Control in Ultra Low Temperature Laundry (BioCULT)
• Lactam based biofilm-ready surfaces with cross-industry applications

Qualifications

• PhD Colour and Polymer Chemistry
• BSc Chemistry

Professional memberships

• Society of Dyers and Colourists

Student education

I am programme Manager for the BA Fashion Technology programme, and teach on a number of undergraduate and postgraduate modules in the School of Design.

Current postgraduate researchers

• Debra Bamford (Susan)
• Yifei Chen