Tactile evaluation towards fibre and fabric

Moist, elastic, supple and smooth are words which describe the feel or texture of something our hands brush up against. Our work involves translating sensory data to physical data to establish standard values for developing new products.

Targeted materials : various fabrics including nanofibers, non-wovens apparel textiles, blankets, furs. Kawabata evaluation system (KES) is used to analyse the mechanical and surface properties of materials.

Finger vibration detection system, hand motion capture system together with a force sensing plate are used to analyse the action of hand when people are touching and evaluating a fabric.

Visual analysis

We have begun research on visual sensory data (appearance) as well. Even when evaluating the same material, the angle from which it is viewed and the way the light hits it can affect the colour and pattern consumers are perceived. The real thrill of this research is being able to “translate” something as ambiguous as sensory evaluation into something as concrete and well defined as numerical values. There are no limits to the “translated” values in terms of application.

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Knitting – development of novel 3D spacer structure

Spacer fabric is a three-dimensional (3D) knitted fabric composed of two outer fabric layers that are connected by a layer of spacer yarns. The unique structure of spacer fabric facilitates good energy absorption so that this type of fabric can be used as a cushioning material. It is commonly applied as shoes, bras, mattresses, car seats, wound dressings and medical padding. Our study aims to find new methods to change the properties of traditional 3D spacer fabrics. Inlaid knitting technique is integrated into the knitting of weft-knitted spacer fabric to apply additional yarns or materials into the structure so as to change the fabric properties. The outcomes could help to widen the scope of the applications of spacer fabric for different end-uses.

Product development and evaluation

Anti-vibration glove

An anti-vibration glove could serve to protect the hands during the use of vibrating hand tools. We would like to develop an anti-vibration glove with a good ability to isolate vibration and offer good perceived comfort. By considering the hand ergonomics, hand dexterity, hand sensitivity to vibrations and bio-dynamics of the hand-arm system, a glove was fabricated with the use of the 3D knitted fabrics that we developed. The ability of the glove prototypes to isolate vibration and the effect on human physiological responses are assessed.

Collaboration projects – with Dr Kit Lun YICK’s research group (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Institute of Textiles and Clothing)

Development of pressure therapy glove for hypertrophic scars treatment

Even though pressure garments are frequently used for therapy, a pressure garment design and fabrication that apply a consistent amount of pressure at the scar-garment interface in non-spherical and concave areas of the body are deficient. The design of the silicone reinforcements and pattern specifications will be optimized so that the glove can offer consistent interface pressure throughout the course of the scar treatment. This study also precisely identifies the 3D geometry of scars and curvature of the hand dorsum, fingers and web spaces in respect to different hand postures and properties of the hand soft-tissues by using 3D scanning and specifically examines the dynamic stress-strain behaviour of the glove fabric and knitting parameters.

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A Soft Manikin System for Evaluating Dynamic Breast Movement and Pressure Sensation for Bra Design Optimisation

This project aims to design a low-cost novel method with body movement simulator for evaluation of bras that can provide repeatable information on the levels of breast support, displacement and wearing comfort during dynamic body movements and physical activities