9361842 Ashford This research will develop electronic diagnostics and novel high- velocity electroflocking for advanced material fabrication. Low- velocity electroflocking is a common textile technology used in the manufacture of pile fabrics, such as nylon velour, where electrostatics are used to position large numbers of short fibers (flock) on and partially into surfaces. This research will alter the conventional flock electrification and trans port conditions to enable the attainment of high packing fractions, highly oriented flock that is strictly vertical and bulk processing of fiber and whiskers made of carbon, ceramic or metal. These alterations are required if the electroflocking process is to be useful for the production of engineered novel oriented non-woven fiber composite materials. A model of the electroflocking process will be developed and its predictions compared with experimental results gained from flocking experiments in a proposed basic test configuration setup. ***
