IDEAS Factory - Detecting Terrorist Activities: Clothing simulations

This research will look at the effects of walking on the movement of clothing in terms of how the fibres move relative to each other and what effect this has on the clothing in general. The different ways in which people move will be considered because we all move differently. The results will enable a detailed investigation of how different fabrics are affected by the various degrees of movement that are exhibited when people wearing clothes made out of them move around. Fibre fatigue and creasing will be considered in relation to the looks and practical feel of garments made out of the various fabrics.

This proposal is a high-risk, proof-of-concept project that seeks to demonstrate a working prototype within a 24 month timescale. But it does offer the potential for very high return. The impact of this high return has the potential to make a difference for every member of the public if the outcome is such that the chances of detecting terrorist activities are increased as a result of this project. There are in addition, potential spin-off impacts on companies that could benefit from being involved in the design and implementation of any proposed solutions. The work on dynamic simulation of clothing movement could in itself have an impact on the clothing industry in terms of understanding better how different fabrics respond to body movements visually, and in terms of rustling and fatigue. Such findings will be communicated in relevant trade magazines, the internet and via press releases (subject to the terms of the partner agreement and stakeholder approval). The work on speech perceptual cue enhancement has potential benefit to hearing aid manufacturers and in other environments where speech understanding can be difficult (e.g. public announcement systems in trains, stations, airports, sports venues, shopping malls) , and assuming the results have the potential to offer some benefit, such findings will be communicated in relevant trade magazines, the internet and via press releases (PI Howard has extensive media experience which culminated in him being awarded an EPSRC Senior Media Fellowship, and he will be able to lead on media engagement).