Advanced Textiles

The 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.

You can also listen to a radio interview with Dr. Colin Cork on BBC Nottingham's Alan Clifford Show at the bottom of this page.

Other areas of work of the research group include:

• 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
• Electrically 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.

We have the equipment and expertise to meet the demands of industry. A particular focus is on mathematical modelling of textile structures. Core technology platforms can be easily adapted to meet individual needs.

Our key research facilities are:

• Electronic Textiles Fabrication Laboratory
• Textile Testing Laboratory

Digital manufacturing technologies:

• Knitting
• Jacquard weaving
• Laser ablation
• Embroidery
• Fabric printing

Additional facilities:

• Textile Design studios
• Traditional dyeing and printing

To find out more about Advanced Textiles Research download the brochure.

Radio interview with Dr. Colin Cork on BBC Nottingham's Alan Clifford Show