Staff and students in the advanced research group.
Staff:
Staff:
- Professor Tilak Dias
- William Hurley
- Dr. Colin Cork
- Tessa Acti
- Carlos Oliveira
- Yannis Anastasopoulos
- Martha Glazzard
- Ekael Mbise
- Anura Ratnayaka
- "High Performance Flexible, Fabric Electronics for Megahertz Frequency Communications" EPSRC-IeMRC grant with Professor J C Vardaxoglou, School of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at University of Loughborough; (2010-2013)
- "The development of clothing with fully embedded electronics for military applications" DSTL grant for a four year PhD studentship (2012 – 2016)
- "Advanced design and manufacture of conducting textile electromagnetic structures" DSTL grant of with Dr A Tennant, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering in the University of Sheffield (2012)
- "Seamless knitted prosthetic sleeves for the management of perspiration" DSTL grant (2012)
- "Smart Materials – Designing the Functionality" EPSRC grant with Professor G McHale (2011-2012)
- "Knitted metamaterials for communication systems" DSTL grant with Dr A Tennant, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering of the University of Sheffield, (2012)
- "Centre for Advanced Textiles" HEIF grant (2010-2011)
Professor Dias has been involved with the following innovative research projects.
Electrically heated gloves
Technology was developed in collaboration with EXO2 Ltd, to produce a heated glove liner based solely on textile yarns. The EXO2 gloves are now marketed as ski and motorcycle gloves.
Cut Resistant Glove
Developed by BM Polyco Ltd, a fully flexible cut resistant glove was produced by knitting stainless steel yarns. The glove, Metallica™ has now been commercialised.
Textile transducers for stroke rehabilitation
Collaborating with the University of Salford, Professor Dias has developed a sensor stocking for use in stroke rehabilitation. In addition, control gloves with contact electrodes have been produced for stroke rehabilitation and control of a PC.
Textile Electrodes for ECG measurement
The core technology for producing seamlessly knitted garments integrated with 3-leads ECG electrodes has been developed. A key research outcome was the production of the first dry electrode system for ECG measurement. The work also involved the creation of hardware to transmit the sensor signals to a base unit via a blue tooth connection as well as signal processing software to visualise the ECG and respiratory signals on a computer screen. The research resulted in the creation of a UK based spin out (SmartLifeInc Ltd).
Compression garments
A collaboration with the Vascular Studies Unit at South Manchester University Hospital (SMUH) resulted in a novel technology platform (Scan-to-Knit) to manufacture engineered, seamless compression stockings to revolutionise the prevention and treatment of venous ulcers, leg swelling and deep vein thrombosis. The key finding was the development of technology to deliver prescribed pressures at different levels along the length of the stocking.
The technology has also been used to manufacture compression sleeves for the treatment of lymphoedema. This was developed in partnership with the Department of Surgical Oncology at SMUH. All IP related to the technology has been protected and a spin-out company (ATM Ltd) has been formed for commercialisation. ATM has already been successful in registering MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) approval for the manufacture and supply of the products.
Automotive textiles
Professor Dias has previously supervised a student who researched advanced textile structures for automotive applications. This work included a study of textile materials for the reduction in automobile interiors. He has also worked with Guilford Performance Textiles to develop fabric switches.
Spacer fabrics
Having previously undertaken work in the production of spacer fabrics for applications from building materials to medical textiles, Professor Dias is currently collaborating with a UK company to optimise the physical characteristics of spacer fabrics for use in hip protectors.
Our key research facilities are:
Advanced Textiles Research Group is led by Professor Tilak Dias. The focus of the group is on electronic textiles with the aim of developing a truly wearable computer. Located within the School of Art and Design, the Research Group forms strong cross-disciplinary links with colleagues in the artistic and fashion areas.
In today's smart and interactive textiles (SMIT) electronic functionality is either integrated onto existing garments by attaching components, or during fabric manufacture. Our aim is to integrate micro-electronic devices into the core of yarns to produce robust, fully flexible, machine-washable SMITs.
Potential applications for the technology include:
Electrically heated gloves
Technology was developed in collaboration with EXO2 Ltd, to produce a heated glove liner based solely on textile yarns. The EXO2 gloves are now marketed as ski and motorcycle gloves.
Cut Resistant Glove
Developed by BM Polyco Ltd, a fully flexible cut resistant glove was produced by knitting stainless steel yarns. The glove, Metallica™ has now been commercialised.
Textile transducers for stroke rehabilitation
Collaborating with the University of Salford, Professor Dias has developed a sensor stocking for use in stroke rehabilitation. In addition, control gloves with contact electrodes have been produced for stroke rehabilitation and control of a PC.
Textile Electrodes for ECG measurement
The core technology for producing seamlessly knitted garments integrated with 3-leads ECG electrodes has been developed. A key research outcome was the production of the first dry electrode system for ECG measurement. The work also involved the creation of hardware to transmit the sensor signals to a base unit via a blue tooth connection as well as signal processing software to visualise the ECG and respiratory signals on a computer screen. The research resulted in the creation of a UK based spin out (SmartLifeInc Ltd).
Compression garments
A collaboration with the Vascular Studies Unit at South Manchester University Hospital (SMUH) resulted in a novel technology platform (Scan-to-Knit) to manufacture engineered, seamless compression stockings to revolutionise the prevention and treatment of venous ulcers, leg swelling and deep vein thrombosis. The key finding was the development of technology to deliver prescribed pressures at different levels along the length of the stocking.
The technology has also been used to manufacture compression sleeves for the treatment of lymphoedema. This was developed in partnership with the Department of Surgical Oncology at SMUH. All IP related to the technology has been protected and a spin-out company (ATM Ltd) has been formed for commercialisation. ATM has already been successful in registering MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) approval for the manufacture and supply of the products.
Automotive textiles
Professor Dias has previously supervised a student who researched advanced textile structures for automotive applications. This work included a study of textile materials for the reduction in automobile interiors. He has also worked with Guilford Performance Textiles to develop fabric switches.
Spacer fabrics
Having previously undertaken work in the production of spacer fabrics for applications from building materials to medical textiles, Professor Dias is currently collaborating with a UK company to optimise the physical characteristics of spacer fabrics for use in hip protectors.
Our key research facilities are:
- Electronic Textiles Fabrication Laboratory
- Textile Testing Laboratory
- Knitting
- Jacquard weaving
- Laser cutting
- Embroidery
- Fabric printing
- Textile Design studios
- Traditional dyeing and printing
Advanced Textiles Research Group is led by Professor Tilak Dias. The focus of the group is on electronic textiles with the aim of developing a truly wearable computer. Located within the School of Art and Design, the Research Group forms strong cross-disciplinary links with colleagues in the artistic and fashion areas.
In today's smart and interactive textiles (SMIT) electronic functionality is either integrated onto existing garments by attaching components, or during fabric manufacture. Our aim is to integrate micro-electronic devices into the core of yarns to produce robust, fully flexible, machine-washable SMITs.
Potential applications for the technology include:
- Retail: RFID tagging of textile products from manufacture to point of sale
- Medicine: Vital signs monitoring, body chemistry monitoring, stroke rehabilitation, pressure measurement in compression garments, RFID tagging (numerous applications from stock control to use in care of those with dementia)
- Military: Vital signs monitoring, performance monitoring, physical condition, position and orientation monitoring, radiation monitoring, monitoring of harmful gasses, RFID tagging (numerous applications), wearable communications devices, camouflage, metamaterial devices for microwave cloaking, smart clothing with response to the environment
- Sports: Performance monitoring
- Architecture: Stress and strain measurement in textile roofs, ropes and textile composites. Lighting screens, flexible display screens
- Aerospace: Stress, strain and temperature measurement in textile composites
- Personal electronics: Wearable computers, wearable communications devices, electronics for social interactions
- Fashion: Illuminated textiles of the high street and the stage.
- Fabric antennas for high-frequency communication systems
- Graduated compression garments for the treatment of venous ulcers, lymphoedema, sports, and rehabilitation
- Garments for ECG measurement
- Stretch sensors for artistic expression and stroke rehabilitation
- Heated gloves for skiers, motorcyclists and for the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon
- Flexible steel gloves for cut resistance
- Spacer fabrics for medical and architectural applications
- Textiles for noise absorption
- Textile switches for clothing and automotive applications.
No comments:
Post a Comment