LEBIOTEX
Laser Enhanced Biotechnology for Textile Design; Three Dimensional, Colour and Surface Patterning. (LEBIOTEX)
Project Funding Scheme: AHRC Research Grants-Standard (AH/J002666/1)
Start Date: 30th June 2012
End Date: 29th June 2015
Total Project Budget: £252,608
The LEBIOTEX project is a collaborative project between De Montfort University (DMU) and Loughborough University (LU) to explore new technologies for textiles and boosting sustainability of the industry. The aim of the proposed project is to develop new environmentally friendly methods for unique textile colour surface patterning with three dimensional effects. The project proposes investigation into laser and enzyme processing technologies and their combination for textile pattern design. The use of enzyme and laser technology offers the prospect of substantial reductions in the use of chemicals, the amounts of water and energy used and effluent produced. The work aims to create novel laser enhanced enzyme techniques and therefore to discover new sustainable creative opportunities for textile design.
Substantial funding of over £200,000 has been received for the project from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). Speedo, Camira Fabrics and Teresa Green Design are also supporting the project with fabric sourcing, design prototyping and concept evaluation.
During the project, Professor Jinsong Shen and Dr Edward Smith, from the School of Design, are supervising student Chetna Prajapati in the Textiles Engineering And Materials (TEAM) research centre at DMU. Dr Faith Kane, lecturer in Textiles at Loughborough University is supervising student Laura Morgan together with Professor John Tyrer from the School of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering. Other research staff involved in the project are Ms Julie Stephenson (DMU) and Mr Matthew Broughton (LU).
Project Consortium:
The LEBIOTEX Project Consortium comprises 5 partners representing academic and industrial organisations. The project is coordinated by Prof Jinsong Shen of Textile Engineering and Materials (TEAM) Research Group at De Montfort University in Leicester, UK.
De Montfort University, Textile Engineering and Materials Research Group, School of Fashion and Textiles, The Gateway, Leicester, LE1 9BH, UK
(www.dmu.ac.uk)
Contact: Prof Jinsong Shen (PI), email: jshen@dmu.ac.uk
Loughborough University, School of Art and Design, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK
(www.lboro.ac.uk)
Contact: Dr Faith Kane (Co-I), Email: f.e.kane2@lboro.ac.uk
Speedo International Ltd, Speedo House, Enterprise Way, ng2 Business Park, Nottingham, NG2 1EN, UK
(www.speedo.com)
Contact: Ms Rebecca Bennett, Email: rbennett@speedo.com
Camira Fabrics Ltd, The Watermill, Wheatley Park, Mirfield, West Yorkshire, WF14 8HE, UK
(www.camirafabrics.com)
Contact: Mr Graham Berry, Email: graham.berry@camirafabrics.com
Teresa Green Design,Halscombe Farm Barn, Halscombe Lane, Ide, Exeter, Devon, EX2 9TQ, UK
(www.teresagreen.co.uk)
Contact: Ms Teresa Cole, Email: teresa@teresagreen.co.uk