The Institute for Protective Apparel Research and Technology is the result of years of dedicated research on first responder and military functional apparel by Dr. Donna Branson and the assembled team of Design, Housing and Merchandising faculty. Members of the team have conducted various protective clothing research and development for some time on cooling vests, firefighter ensembles, QuadGard™ and TorGard™ body armor.  The institute focuses on the design, performance testing and technology transfer of protective clothing.

Environmental Chambers and Imaging/Scanning Facility