Staff Profiles
Philippa Brock
Research Interests
CAD/CAM woven textiles, woven jacquard, on loom finishing effects, Integrated woven textile circuits, woven switches, woven sensors, woven stretch sensors, communication wear, smart textiles
Current Research
1. Investigation into the Development of Design Led, Integrated Woven Textile Circuits, Switches and Sensors. ( Textile Systems)
Alongside the existing on going research, new research (commenced 2004) is an investigation into the design and production of conductive woven fabrics, which can be used in conjunction with electronic components. Researching, both the suitability for electronic function (of both yarns and resultant construction) and the aesthetics of these fabrics for use within a fashion/clothing/interior end use. Initial prototypes developed and applied into garment construction and tested, include, textile pressure/touch sensors, textile stretch sensors, textile heat pad, textile galvanic skin response sensor and textile circuits for both power and data. The potential for patenting is presently being investigated. The initial developments have been part of a joint research project with Sharon Baurley and Andrew Moore.
CAD/CAM Woven Jacquard 'on - loom' Finishing Effects
The research investigates 'on-loom' finishing effects within the industrial CAD/CAM woven jacquard process. The resultant prototypes require only scouring and stentering. The research poses the hypothesis that previously finished surface effects i.e. post woven embellishments (pleating, embroidery etc) can be achieved at the earlier weaving stage.
The outcomes of this research have a dual focus: creative and innovative fabrics; and new approaches to the industrial production method. The fabrics developed in this research are not to replicate existing fabric methods but are a product in their own right. The research includes investigation of CAD/CAM, yarn and woven structure innovation to achieve these 'on loom' effects and the potential for cost, time and energy efficiency. Both the research and professional practice require a keen awareness of new developments in yarn, fabric and finishing processes and existing and potentially new markets.
Investigating the Construction of Specialist Woven fabrics for Laser Cutting and Etching
Recent Research
2007: ‘Communication-Wear’, Conference contribution (ISBN - Pending), 9th International Conference on Ubiquitous Computing, Innsbruck, Austria ,2005: ‘The Sensor Sleeve: Sensing Affective Gestures’, Conference contribution (ISBN - 0-7695-24192), Proceedings of the 2005 Ninth International Symposium on Wearable Computers (ISWC), Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), California, USA ,
2003: ‘Artists at work - New Technologies in Textile and Fibre Art’, Journal article, , Journal: Textile Forum 2003 Volume 3 Page numbers 20 Isuue September
2003: ‘Artists at Work: New technology in textile and fibre art’, Artefact (ISBN - 8877 815310), , Museo Del Tessuto, Prato, Italy
2003: ‘Commission for the Taiwan Textile Federation’, Exhibition, Taiwan
2003: ‘Lace #1 - CAD/CAM Industrial Woven Jacquard Design’, Design, ,
2002: ‘European Textile Network (ETN) Textileforum’, Exhibition, Textileforum, International Magazine
2002: ‘Woven Textile Design’, Exhibition, , Jaeger Womenswear and Talbots