Smart Materials
Owner: Chris Lefteri
Community members (56)
Self-cleaning glass and clothing that monitors the health of the wearer, demonstrate how incorporating technology into materials can open up new business opportunities. Developments in nanotechnology in particular will be one of the areas where we will see major advances in the near term. The ability of researchers and businesses in the creative industries to access the technologies that these developments will bring will be vital to ensure their rapid assimilation and exploitation. The exchange of information will enable people in the creative industries to bring ideas back into their areas of operation and also ensure they can exploit new opportunities in other areas. This Beacon Project will explore the developments in new and functional materials and the potential for their application and exploitation by the creative industries. “Science and technology are now providing solutions to many of the great social and economic challenges we face. The ability to create new materials opens up huge possibilities for designers across the creative industries. Our challenge will be to work together with technologies to identify and harness those solutions that can be used to the real benefit of mankind” Helen Storey, Professor in Fashion and Science, University of The Arts London.
The Technology Strategy Board is holding a three day workshop in March 2010 to get Designers and Technology Specialists in plastic electronics together to dream up ideas for new products, services and experiences that could be created using the unique properties of plastic electronics.
The TSB will invest £3m in the project ideas that come out of the workshop, to help particpants get their ideas realised as working prototypes. You can register for the event here.
The UK is a world leader in plastic electronics, much of the fundamental research is happening here now. We are also world leaders in design and creating excellent products, services and user experiences. This workshop is an oppotrunity for these two specialists to get together and build projects together.
The Creative Industries KTN held an information day together with the Photonics and Plastic Electronics KTN to share information about this opportunity.
Check out the videos below to find out more about plastic electronics, how designers can work effectively with technology researchers to accelerate innovation and most importantly how to apply to be part of this amazing £3m opportunity.
Check out Richard Kirk's incredible overview of the properties of plastic electronics and what we will be able to do with it:
Get inspired with Gus Desbarats description of how to use design to accelerate technology innovation:
Mike Biddle, Lead Technologist at the Technology Strategy Board, introduces the Technology Strategy Board and the £3m Plastic Electronics Demonstrators workshop - check it out:
Mike Biddle, Lead Technologist at the Technology Strategy Board, takes questions from the participants at the event - chances are your questions are answered here too - check it out:
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