In this section
Our research centres around the body and how technology can be used to improve how that body exists and interacts with the surrounding environment. We focus on haptic and aural modalities, using textiles as the physical medium for building wearable computational systems. Some of the research projects we undertake focus exclusively on textile sensing and interfaces whilst other focus solely on how auditory displays can be improved for users. A growing area of our work is looking towards how these two complementary technologies can be brought together in novel applications.
Below is a selection of projects grouped by theme of work:
Utilising novel textiles or electronic integrations to track and measure different forms of motion directly through fabric interventions.
Investigating next-generation haptic outputs embedded within textiles, with the unique ability to provide localised bodily sensations and tactile effects currently unavailable from other technologies.
Utilising novel textiles or electronic integrations to track and measure different forms of motion directly through fabric interventions.
Utilising novel textiles or electronic integrations to track and measure different forms of motion directly through fabric interventions.
The most developed strand of research in the group is tracking human motion through textile sensors. SensiKnit was developed by Dr Yi (Joy) Zhou during her PhD. SensiKnit is a graphene-based wearable monitoring system. The ergonomic sensors, crafted with digital knitting and laser-cutting, ensure close skin contact for accurate data collection and allow a full range of motion for user comfort. Integrated into wearables, SensiKnit can monitor body movements, such as knee bends and arm gestures, making it ideal for exercise interfaces and injury rehabilitation. Resistant to UV rays and washing, it offers consistent, real-time activity feedback under any condition.
This work has been published in Advanced intelligent Systems (Zhou, Y., Sun, Y., Li, Y., Shen, C., Lou, Z., Min, X. and Stewart, R. (2024), A Highly Durable and UV-Resistant Graphene-Based Knitted Textile Sensing Sleeve for Human Joint Angle Monitoring and Gesture Differentiation. Adv. Intell. Syst. 2400124. https://doi.org/10.1002/aisy.202400124).
The video was filmed and produced by Xiannuo Phoenix Zhao (Xcellent Productions Ltd).
@inproceedings{Dave:2024:10.3390/engproc2023052021,
author = {Dave, RJ and Min, X and Lou, Z and Stewart, R},
doi = {10.3390/engproc2023052021},
publisher = {MDPI},
title = {Investigating construction and integration techniques of dry silver-based textile electrodes on electromyography of biceps Brachii muscle},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/engproc2023052021},
year = {2024}
}
TY - CPAPER
AB - This research paper recommends an electrode construction and integration technique for dry silver-based textile electrodes capturing electromyographic (EMG) signals. Three integration methods with two different conductive textiles were compared using two analysis methods; analysis was also conducted before and after six washing cycles. Six wearable arm bands with each of the design parameter combinations were worn on the biceps brachii muscle to capture EMG signals from three users under a controlled task both before any washing of the bands occurred and after four washing cycles were completed. Additionally, impedance measurements over six frequency bands were recorded after each washing cycle. Textile electrodes made of Shieldex Techniktex P180B using an extended electrode integration method were found to perform best.
AU - Dave,RJ
AU - Min,X
AU - Lou,Z
AU - Stewart,R
DO - 10.3390/engproc2023052021
PB - MDPI
PY - 2024///
SN - 2673-4591
TI - Investigating construction and integration techniques of dry silver-based textile electrodes on electromyography of biceps Brachii muscle
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/engproc2023052021
ER -