Prof. John W. S. Hearle,
Sc.D., F.T.I. (Hon.)

The Old Vicarage MELLOR
Stockport
Cheshire SK65 5LX
England

Phone: (0) 161-427-1149
FAX (0) 161-427-8527

Professor John Hearle served for many years on the faculty of the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST), where he held the positions of Professor of Textile Technology, Head of the Department of Textiles, and Dean of the Faculty of Technology. Following retirement from UMIST in 1985, he spent periods as a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Delaware. He is a leading authority on the mechanics of fiber assemblies, ropes and terminations. He served as Chairman of Tension Technology International from 1986 to 1995 and is now Chairman Emeritus and Senior Consultant. He continues to advises on the performance of fibers, ropes and terminations.

Major accomplishments

Developed detailed analysis of the mechanics of twisted yarns. Confirmed predictions experimentally.

Advanced understanding of many aspects of the mechanics of both fibers and fabrics. Pioneered widely applicable mathematical models.

Identified and classified twelve models of failure of fibers through SEM (scanning electron microscope) studies.

Developed new fatigue tests for fibers, which correlate with performance in ropes and industrial fabrics.

Identified wear mechanisms in textile products, including ropes. Collaborated in development of computer models of rope performance and fatigue for US Navy.

Consulted to joint industry studies of ropes for use in deepwater moorings.

Initiated design of thermo-mechanical analyzer for fibers and yarns; used to relate heat-setting and other thermo-mechanical responses.

Promoted an engineering approach to textile structures and processes.

Lectured in 30 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia, North America, and South America.

Education

St. John's College, University of Cambridge, B.A. 1947, M.A. 1950

1st Class Honors in Physics

University of Manchester, Ph.D. 1952

University of Cambridge, Sc.D. 1973

Experience

British Cotton Industry Research Assoc.: Research Officer, 1946-48

University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology: Lecturer, 1949-62; Reader Textile Physics, 1962-74; Professor Textile Technology and Head Dept. of Textiles, 1974-1985: Dean of the Faculty of Technology, 1980-82.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, visiting Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering, 1963-64

University of Delaware, Distinguished Visiting Professor of Mechanical Engineering, 1986-88, Visiting Professor of Materials Science, 1989-90.

Tension Technology International Ltd, 1986-present, Senior Consultant, former Chairman

Awards, committees and professional societies

(partial listing)

Fellow of Textile Institute (1960)

Fellow of Institute of Physics (1960)

250th Anniversary Medal of Technical University of Prague (1961)

Honorary Fellowship of Textile Institute (1984)

Chairman of Council of Textile Institute (1993-1995)

Editor of Journal of Textile Institute

Member of Fiber Society

Member of British Society of Rheology

Publications

(partial listing)

Physical Properties of Textile Fibers, with W. E. Morton, Butterworths, 1962, 3rd Ed. Textile Institute 1993

Structural Mechanics of Fibers, Yarns and Fabrics, Vol. 1, with S. Backer and P. Grosberg, Wiley, 1969

Fibre Structure, Textile Progress, Vol. 2, No. 2, (with R. Greer) Textile Institute, 1970

Polymers and Their Properties, Part i Structure and Mechanics, Ellis Horwood and Wiley, 1982

Physical Methods of Investigating Textiles, Editor and Contributor, with R. Meredith, Interscience Publishers, New York, 1959

Moisture in Textiles, Editor and Contributor, with R. H. Peters, Textile Institute and Butterworths, 1960

Fibre Structure, Editor and Contributor, with R. H. Peters, Textile Institute and Butterworths, 1963

The Setting of Fibres and Fabrics, Editor and Contributor, with L.W.C. Miles, Merrow, 1971

The Use of the Electron Scanning Microscope, Editor and Contributor, with J.T. Sparrow and P.M. Cross, Pergamon, 1972

The Mechanics of Flexible Fibre Assemblies, Editor and Contributor, with J.J. Thwaites and J. Amerblies, Sinjhoff and Noordhof, 1980

Fibre Failure and Wear of Materials, with B. Lomas, W. Cooke and I. Duerden, Ellis Horwood Ltd and John Wiley, 1989

Contributor to seven other books on science and technology

Author of over 200 research papers and many general articles