About the Project
PROJECT SUMMARY
This project is technically orientated will facilitate the development of efficient sportswear. It will focus on made-to-measure compression garments specific to an athlete’s body and the various pressure zones related to specific sports apparel. The project will involve application of a range of apparel technologies in the developement and trial of compression garments by exploiting the use of 3D body scanners, avatars, virtual garment fit, sizing, technical textile testing and evaluating performance of compression garments.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROJECT
Applications from candidates with a Masters level qualification, or equivalent, in the area of textile technology, anthropometrics, CAD/CAM, apparel product design and sportswear are welcomed, particularly those from the fields of technical textiles, product design (or any areas allied to these).
The applicant will need to be able to provide evidence of research skills, good written and oral communication, as well as vision and motivation to make their research project a success. In addition to the above, sound knowledge of sportswear garments and the use of CAD/CAM applications and the body scanner is desirable, although training will be provided. The applicant will also be required to undertake data collection and analysis, to prepare articles for publication in journals, and to disseminate the results in the community through presentations at national level. The research applicant will require skills to plan, prioritise and organise their work and resources in order to achieve agreed research objectives.
PROJECT AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The Department of Apparel at Manchester Metropolitan University is home to some state-of-the-art 3-D scanning equipment. Members of staff, and students, have carried out significant and important research using this technology and have established the department as a leader in the measurement of bodies and body modelling. For more information on these activities see: http://www.hollings.mmu.ac.uk/bodyscanner/
Compression garments are becoming increasingly popular among the sporting community as well as with fitness enthusiasts mainly to provide support to muscles, to improve blood circulation and to aid in muscle recovery from soreness. This project develops previous work conducted in the Department of Apparel, that measured the pressure applied by compression garments (tops) using Tekscan® and simulated a 3D model using V-stitcher. The proposed project will further research in this area using a simulated CAD model to predict the pressure applied by garments to various contours of the body. The body scanner will be used in determining garment fit and assist in sizing of garments for varying body shapes.
Please quote the studentship reference number MIRIAD-PV-2014-2015-1-PhD. Please return your completed application form to [Email Address Removed] and [Email Address Removed]