Research
An overview of the School of Textile and Design's Research can be seen here. Whilst information about the people who work and study within RiFlex can be found on our People pages.
RiFLEX leads in four major research areas;
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Nano Textiles
Orientation of nano fibres
The area of Nano Textiles deals with the spinning of functionalised nano fibres, in the regeneration of cashmere and on scaffolding stem cells. Nano melt spinning and bubble spinning are new additions to this work. Two new patents one on nano yarn processing (nationwide attention for the invention for spinning nano fibres into nano yarns for knitting and weaving) and one on regeneration of wool waste through a new nano process are now receiving huge interest for funding.
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Wearable Wireless Electronics
SMART vest with ECG, Resperation, Temp and GPS
Garments with textile based sensors and other devices find applications in health, sports and the military. This work incorporates cutting edge research in conductive textiles and organic sensors which are necessary for integrating the technology into fabrics and garments.
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Psycho or Mood Textiles
Energy harvesting SMART garments
EEG Brain Scanning
This research area deals with textiles and garments that change their haracteristics after sensing the mood of the wearer/user. Some leading research in this area is the analysis of brainwaves for the understanding on the psychological imposition of the user. The underpinning for this technology is the ability to change textile patterns is a new and leading area of interest worldwide. Garments that change colour based on the mood of the wearer using fibre optics and feedback wearable electronics is an example that is currently being exploited.
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3D Modelling of Fabrics, Garments and Humans
3D body dressing
The true modelling of cloth by modelling its mechanics taking into account non- linear viscoelastic properties in a leading area internationally winning grants and having eminent networking with academia and industry.
