Prof. H.J.ADLER is scientist in the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry and Textile Chemistry, Dresden University of Technology. His principal fields of interest are synthesis, characterisation and application of reactive and functional polymers. His book Reactive Polymers   adds significantly to the current understanding of the role of reactive polymers in phenomena such as adhesion, colloidal stability and biocompatibility and is vital for improving the polymer technologies available today and for the development of the new applications in Microsystems like sensors and actuators.

Prof. SURESH G. ADVANI holds a Ph.D. of The University of Illinois for his studies on Mechanical Engineering. From 1997 to present, he has been a professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Delaware and he is also the Associate Director of Center for Composite Materials of that university at this time. His principal fields of interest are Polymer and Composite Processing, Nanoscale Processing and Transport Phenomena in Manufacturing Processes.

Prof. MÁRIO DE ARAÚJO graduated in Textile Technology at The University of Manchester (UK) in 1971 and in Management at the University of Salford (UK) in 1972. In 1978 he was awarded the degree of Ph.D. for his work in the field of Physical Properties of Textile Structures at The University of Strathclyde (UK). In 1985 was elected Fellow of the Textile Institute (UK). He was also Chairman of AUTEX- The Association of Universities for Textiles (Belgium) from 2001 to 2004.

Prof.Mäder EDITH is scientist in the Institute of Polymeric Materials of the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (IPF) and head of the Department of Composites as well as responsible for the priority topic 5 'Composites' at IPF. Simultaneously, she is involved in education at Technische Universität Dresden, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, as Associate Prof. (Priv.-Doz.).

Prof. ANN MARIE FIORE is a Full Professor at IowaStateUniversity and the Director of Graduate Education in the Textiles and Clothing program. She serves as a Scientific Excellence Advisor for The U. S. National Textile Center. Her teaching and research focus on the effect of the shopping environment, including consumer technology applications, on consumer behavior. Her work includes a textbook, 28 peer-reviewed publications, and 49 peer-reviewed presentations. She is also the author or co-author of three papers that have received best paper research awards.

Prof. KOZO HIRATA was born in Japan in 1952. In 1976, he graduated from TokyoGakugeiUniversity. Then, he kept his studies on Physiology at KanazawaUniversity where he was awarded his first Ph. D. in 1986. In 1989, he began to conduct his research at Kobe Women’s University and then became a professor there. He will give a speech concerning Heat of Sorption Induced by Highly Hygroscopic Fabrics After Onset of Sweating and Clothing Comfort at this forum.

Prof. INGVAR HOLMER is a professor in Climate Physiology at The National Institute for Working Life, which is situated in Solna, Sweden. He graduated from National Institute of Sports, Stockholm in 1967 and then was awarded a Ph.D. in Physiology at The University of Stockholm where in 1975 he worked as a docent. He is also a member of International Society of Biometeorology, ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers) and Nordic Ergonomics Society.

Prof. MARTIN W. KING was awarded his Ph.D. degree at The Technological University of Compiègne, France, for his studies on Biomedical Engineering in 1992. For over 30 years he has undertaken research at the intersection of textiles, biomaterials, protective apparel and implantable devices. He teaches in the areas of Bio-textiles, Textile Technology and Textile Testing & Quality Evaluation, and directs graduate research in fields of Medical Textiles, Protective Apparel, Biomaterials, Medical Devices and Healthcare Products.

Prof. FRANK K. KO is Director of the Fibrous Materials Laboratory and Professor of Materials Engineering at DrexelUniversity. He received his Ph.D. degree in Textile Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He served on the Roadmap team for the Aerospace Industry Association and as a member of the advisory committee on soldier protection for the Army Board of Sciences of the National Research Council. He was a group leader in the gradient composite armor program for the Army Research Office.

Prof. Jiøí Militkýgraduated with honor at TU Liberec in 1973. He started with research in the field of statistical data analysis and quality control here. On these themes he published 4 books and about 100 scientific papers. In 1982 he defended Ph.D. degree concerning of the properties of the modified polyester fibers. Since 1989 he is at the Technical University of LIBEREC (TUL). He is head of Department since 1991. From 2001 till 2003 he was vice chancellor for science and foreign relations. Now he is again a dean of the textile faculty. He obtained university professor degree in 1993.

Prof. S. KAY OBENDORF was awarded her Ph.D. degree at CornellUniversity for her studies on Physical Chemistry in 1976. She was awarded Director’s Award from NationalTextileCenter in 2005. She was also the winner of Outstanding Paper Award from Journal of Surfactants & Detergents in 2000 and Man-Made Fiber Award in 1986. In 1989, she was an Austin Lecturer at IowaStateUniversity. At this moment, she serves as Associate Dean for Research at the College of Human Ecology.

Prof. NING PAN is Professor of Fiber and Polymer Science Division of Textiles and Clothing Biological and Agricultural Engineering at the University of California. From 1994 to 1999 he worked as an Associate Professor of Textile Science. He has been serving as a professor since 1999. In 1995 the Textile Institute awarded him the Fellow status. In 1996 he was invited and all cost-paid by the Textile Research Symposium in Japan to present a seminar at KyotoUniversity entitled Textile Research at Universities in USA.

Prof. JOHN SMITH is a Chartered Textile Technologist and Fellow of the Textile Institute who has enjoyed a continuous involvement with the Textile and related industries. He is a Certified Management Consultant and Member of the Institute of Management Consultants whose career has included Product and Process Development, Management, Marketing, Research and Consultancy both within the UK and Internationally. He is currently Executive Chairman of JTS International Consultancy Ltd. and Chairman of the Fibre, Yarn and Fabric Engineering Division of the Textile Institute.