James’s primary research interests lie in the functional properties of soft materials, with particular focus on elastomers, including the design of smart textiles (smart-strain sensing or colour-changing flexible fibres), and the recycling of elastomers. Prior to joining QMUL, James designed suspension components for companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, Volvo and Mercedes. The majority of his research is undertaken in close collaboration with industry, as demonstrated by industry-funded PhD students and research projects with companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, Hyundai and Schlumberger Oilfield. James also maintains an interest in innovation with teaching at FE and HE level, especially incorporating industrial placements to improve graduate employability. Core skills and competences include:

• Soft matter engineering
• Smart materials
• Industrial research degree design

Veronika is a Reader in Material Technology and Design at LCF where she is developing novel biomimetic approaches to design and innovation of Active Material Systems within the textile industry that intersect biology, material engineering and textile design. Veronika is an LCF graduate who was awarded a PhD scholarship to study engineering design at Bath University. Her practice intersects academic and manufacturing sectors both within her role as Reader and as co-director of MMT Textiles Limited and inventor of INOTEK ^TM (an award winning biomimetic textile platform that draws on ambient moisture to trigger reversible mechanical changes in the fabric structure, typically for advanced moisture and insulation management). Veronika is also a bestselling author in industrial design and consults extensively with private and public organisations in material science, textile technology, functional apparel and fashiontech. 

Emiliano Bilotti’s research focuses on the Processing-Structure-Property relationship in polymer nanocomposites and, more recently, on smart polymers (sensing, self-regulating flexible heaters) and polymers for energy (organic thermoelectrics, ferroelectric/relaxor polymers).

EB is author/co-author of over 80 peer-reviewed papers (h-index of 28), 4 book chapters and 5 patents. EB’s research has been supported by a variety of agencies, including the European Council (EC), Innovate UK and the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) or received direct support from industry. He is passionate about STEM Outreach and Knowledge Transfer (Winner of the KTP Engineering Excellence Award 2019).

Core skills and competences include:

• Polymer Processing; Polymer nanocomposites; Smart Polymer Materials; Polymer for Energy.

Andrew is a Lecturer in Product Design within the School of Design & Creative Arts at Loughborough University.  Andrew’s research is focussed on informing future body armour development through the utilisation of digital design and manufacturing technologies, such as 3D CAD and Additive Manufacturing, with the view to enhance thermal and physical comfort alongside operational performance.  Core skills and competences include:

• Design for Additive Manufacture
• 3D Printed textiles
• Product design and development

Dr Lewis Jones is a Lecturer in Engineering Product Design at Loughborough University. Working within the Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering his research is in the study of laser interactions with materials for manufacturing processes. Previous research with textiles has included the development of new laser based surface finishing and chemical fixation processes for low resource consumption, and the application of engineering metrology techniques to fibre surfaces.

Core skills and competences include:

• Laser interactions with fibre materials
• Metrology and Surface characterisation
• Energy modelling and lifecycle assessment of manufacturing technology

Sara is a Chemist with broad experience in Polymers and Materials Science. Now, She is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Queen Mary University of London. Before, she was a Research Fellow at the University of Surrey, and she worked on Controlling the Thickness of the Polymer Films via Dip Coating Method. She holds a PhD in Bionanotechnology from the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Genova, Italy, Focusing on the Fabrication of Sustainable Polymer Coatings for various Applications. Before She completed her Master in Polymer Chemistry from the University of Tehran, Iran. She graduated with her Bachelor in Chemistry. After her Master, She worked in 2 Different Companies as an R&D Researcher and Laboratory Chemist. Core skills and competencies include:

• Research and Development
• Formulating and Fabrication
• Structure-Property Characterizations

Giovanni received his BSc and MSc in Materials Science from the University of Padova, Italy. He worked as a composite materials R&D specialist in the industry for two years before obtaining his PhD from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) on graphene‐based polymer nanocomposites. In 2018, he became the Polymer Research Manager for Nanoforce Technology Ltd., a QMUL subsidiary focused on technology transfer to the industry. In November 2021, he started a part-time postdoc with the BFTT project to develop more sustainable, circular and intelligent wearables for the fashion and textile industry.

Eleanor is a PhD researcher at Loughborough University exploring the digital and sustainable future of knitwear for SME’s. Eleanor studied a BA Hons in Textiles Design at Birmingham City University and focused her work on constructed textiles, specifically knitwear, and the social and environmental impact of knitting. Eleanor created a zero waste knitwear label called Nor Clothing, which saw success in the UK high street clothing market and her extensive industry experience has initiated her ambition to reinvent how knitwear is produced using new technology and digital fabrication techniques.