Prof. Kai Yang, Work Package 6 Lead discusses the multidisciplinary nature of the SUSTAIN project.
Can you tell us about your role within the SUSTAIN project?
I lead Work Package 6, which is to develop demonstrators and outreach and engagement. So, in that role I work with almost everyone in the team to identify what demonstrators we should develop in different stages of the project. We plan outreach and engagement activities, for example, who we should reach out to, who we should disseminate the outcome to. Most importantly, thinking about how that two-way conversation may work, how we get feedback through those exercises and feed it into the project.
SUSTAIN brings together expertise from multiple disciplines. What has that collaboration been like?
In the team, we work very closely to solve the technical challenges both within and across work packages. For example, one of the work packages is the design, which works with the other work packages to make sure the technology developed can be fabricated in a form which is relevant to its application and to the end user. We also work closely with other stakeholders such as our industry partners. We will work closely with the Independent Advisory Board, including experts in the technology, application and policy regulatory side. They provide independent advice to shape the direction of the project.
We will also do more engagement and outreach activity as the project progresses. For example, one of the activities already planned is to exhibit at the British Science Festival, which this year will be held in Southampton. We are working hard to prepare demonstrators, so that will be really exciting to showcase to the public.
So how could this research influence the future of healthcare, sport, workwear or everyday clothing?
The key outcome or impact, I would say, is from a few different aspects. The most important or the focus is the sustainability, how to minimise the impact on the environment while creating the societal and economic benefits. The other one is the technology, how to advance current technology to make it more efficient, such as making monitoring applications more accurate. The design aspect will impact on the usability, for example, how to make it easy to use and more accessible.
In the end, I hope SUSTAIN will underpin a range of applications which will make the technology more efficient, accessible, and sustainable in whatever application the e-textile is used.
Finally, what aspect of SUSTAIN excites you the most personally?
Personally, the most exciting aspect for me is the applications because my research has been application driven. I focus on healthcare and medical applications and so I probably have an invested interest of what I’d like to see the technology be. For example, in healthcare the technology can address societal challenges, such as the transfer of care from hospital to community and home, allowing the accessibility and equitability of healthcare, while at the same time contribute to the mission to reduce the environmental impact.
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