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Medical & material textiles can be new fashion: Second Skin project

16 Oct '12

3 min read

Experts in textiles and design from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen are leading new research aimed at designing clothing to address the physical and emotional needs of people with chronic health conditions.

A new research network entitled 'Second Skin' has been established to bring together experts from design, textiles, computing and health sciences to develop new technologically-enhanced or 'SMART' textiles designed to help individuals with a number of health challenges.

The new network has been funded with the aid of a grant from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and will fund events in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Belfast over the next two years.

Led by Professor Julian Malins and Josie Steed from Robert Gordon University's Institute for Innovation, Design & Sustainability (IDEAS), and involving academics from Heriot-Watt and Ulster Universities, the project aims to develop advanced garments that address both the physical and emotional needs of individuals with chronic health conditions affecting their mobility, confidence and self-esteem.

Professor of Design, Julian Malins comments:

“The combination of modern materials and advances in micro-electronics offers opportunities for the design of a new generation of smart clothing which has the potential to directly affect a number of medical conditions.

“We can imagine clothing capable of monitoring an individual's vital signs whilst helping to administer medicines and give early warning of potential problems, for example reacting to temperature changes or variations in blood sugar levels.

“We believe that by bringing together a range of research experts from different fields, manufacturers and potential users, we can develop new concepts which can make a very significant difference to a person's wellbeing and quality of life.”

Josie Steed, Head of Fashion and Textiles, adds:

“These are exciting times for textile research. Recent developments in material science and technology are making new opportunities in fashion design possible.

“Embedding minute electronics and sensors within textiles, once only a fantasy, are now a technological reality and enable designers to rethink how future clothing can not only make you look good but can also make you feel good about yourself.”

The project follows the successful completion of a short scoping study, 'Future Textile Visions', funded by the Scottish Government and co-ordinated by the Scottish Academy of Fashion (SAF), which successfully explored the potential for innovation in textile manufacturing in Scotland based on health applications.

Alison Harley from SAF comments:

“RGU is part of a consortia of Scottish universities working with the textiles and fashion industries to foster greater innovation and the exploitation of leading research by industry. The Future Textile Visions research has the potential to improve the lives of many people with long-term illnesses, and has extensive implications for future healthcare.

“We are delighted that RGU has reached the next stage in developing their research and that SAF has been able to support the development of this project.”

The Second Skin network will host three key events involving academics, industry experts and focus groups, designed to share knowledge and generate new concepts over the coming year.

Robert Gordon University