Majid Sarmadi received his PhD from Virginia Tech in 1986 in textile science. A Rothermel Bascom Professor, he directs graduate students in the materials science graduate program and the textile science specialization of the School of Human Ecology: Design Studies graduate degree. He is also a member of faculty of the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. His research focus includes chemical properties and structures of textile fibers, plasma modifications of materials, wettability, dyeing and finishing. His teaching and research incorporate the topic of sustainability.
He has received many awards including the Harold Dewitt Smith Memorial Medal presented by ASTM International, 2002; Certificate of Recognition, Supreme Court of Wisconsin, 2009; Certificate of Appreciation, PEOPLE program-UW-Madison, 2009; Faculty Professional Excellence Award, 1997; Certificate of Award for second place paper, Inter-sectional Technical Paper Competition, International Technical Conference, AATCC, 1995; Certificate of Award for Excellence in Outreach, School of Human Ecology UW-Madison, 1990. Certificate of Award for third place paper, Inter-sectional Technical Paper Competition, International Technical Conference, AATCC, 1987; Certificate of Award for second place paper, Intersectional Technical Paper Competition, National Technical Conference AATCC, 1984.
He is the author and coauthor of more than 70 scientific papers and holds four patents in the area of dyeing, finishing, and plasma modification of films and fibrous materials. He has also served as consultant for textile and related industries, state procurement offices, and judicial system on issues such as wettability, dyeability, flammability, and minimum specifications for carpet and other textile materials.
He has also served as consultant to the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), which serves more than 220,000 students with a building budget of $5.7B. The carpet specification that Professor Sarmadi wrote for LACCD is one of his most important contributions to the textile industry and the world as a whole. Professional magazines such as College Planning & Management and some newspapers have called his specifications "best practices." Sarmadi’s Sustainable Carpet Project saved more than $40M for the State of California on one contract alone. The project has received 16 different awards such as:
California's Governor’s Award for Energy and Environmental Leadership
Awards from U.S. Senate and U.S. Congress
Many awards from California’s Senate and Assembly
Award from the mayor of Los Angeles
Professor Sarmadi’s work connects him with Forestry, Chemistry, CPAM, Materials Science, Medical School, and the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies.