University of Ulster sensor science powers “smart clothes” revolution

"Smart clothes" containing sensing systems which can remotely monitor vital health signs, new tracking devices to enable anxious parents to keep tabs on their children are among the technological innovations being showcased next weekat a major international event, organised by the University and sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland - just as the European Union announces a massive multi-million Euro investment programme in the eHealth sector.

The University, which leads the world in the development of advanced sensors for intelligent biomedical clothes, has teamed up with university experts in healthcare informatics and industrialists in the Northern Ireland Textiles & Apparel Association to bring key business players and scientists in the field to Northern Ireland

Scheduled for 13/14 December at W5 in the Odyssey complex and at the University's Jordanstown campus on 15 December, the event will showcase how innovative sensing, textile and information and communication technologies could be used in the future in a wide range of settings, from senior citizens' homes to the battlefields of the world.

New approaches to early diagnosis and enhancement of patient safety depend on the integration of biomedical information to support personalised healthcare and lifestyle management, and the workshop will bring global leaders in advanced sensor technology, intelligent clothing and health informatics to Northern Ireland. Among the exciting applications of advanced monitoring are:

·Firefighter equipment with vital sign and global positioning sensors - enabling their position and condition inside burning buildings to be constantly monitored:

·Battledress kit with vital sign and GPS technology - enabling continuous real-time monitoring of soldier's health and position on the battlefield:

·Clothes which monitor the status of an individual's blood pressure, heart rate, stress levels and other signs: uses include sports wear, and healthcare:

·Smart bandages, which monitor how a wound is healing - without the need to remove the dressing:

·Baby clothes, which can alert parents to any changes in a baby's state during sleep:

·Hospital gowns that continuously monitor a patients' condition, and report changes wirelessly to doctors.

·Monitoring of the condition of surgical implants.

·Monitoring of the health status of individuals in a 'smart home' environment

The event offers a huge opportunity for Northern Ireland business, according toDr Eric McAdams of theFaculty of Engineering.

"We're bringing together many of the world's leading academics, industrialists, clinicians and administrators in personalized healthcare. The event is timed to coincide with the next wave of funding from the European Commission's 6th Framework programme on eHealth and key personnel from the Commission will be there to advise and guide those who are interested in making funding applications.

"It's a great opportunity for Northern Ireland firms to get in at the start of a technological revolution. The bringing together of experts in the technologies and those who can provide funding means that Northern Ireland businesses have an unique opportunity to hit the ground running. We will be looking at the synergies between advanced textiles, sensors, nanotechnology, information and communication technologies and any businesses working in those fields will find this event of inestimable value", Dr McAdams added.

"Technology has progressed to the extent that if you can imagine a 'futuristic' health monitoring application, we can probably do it now or in the near future. What was thought of as Science Fiction a few years or decades ago is now happening. However, these inventions have to be made cheap and robust enough so that the average citizen will benefit. Our expertise in the fields of sensors and related technologies is why researchers in UU with the help of colleagues throughout Ireland were chosen to host this event.

"This is a hugely important event for Northern Ireland. It will provide a forum for potential partners to meet existing EU research and development groups and will enable the local medical profession and the business community to identify potential research and development opportunities and partners. It will also showcase local state-of-the-art research and new product development".

Robert Bunn of the Invest NI European RTD Directorate, a major sponsor of the event said: “Increasing numbers of local companies are realising that an innovative approach to business coupled with a strong focus on R&D can help them survive in today’s global marketplace. By supporting this event and assisting local companies and research organisations gain access to state-of-the-art technologies, expertise and international R&D contacts, Invest NI is reinforcing its commitment to stimulating levels of R&D whilst improving the rate of knowledge transfer.”

For further information, please contact:

David Young
Telephone: 028 90366074
Email: David Young