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Body Sensor Networks (BSN) research developed novel sensing algorithms and technology suitable for on-body pervasive sensing suitable for healthcare, well-being and sporting applications. The main impact includes:
The development of microelectronic sensor arrays for biological applications, pioneered at the University of Glasgow, is central to a unique gene sequencing system developed by Ion Torrent. The Ion Torrent personal genome machine is a bench-top system that, compared to optically mediated technologies, is cheaper and easier to use. Ion Torrent was founded in 2007 and bought by Life Technologies in 2010 for $725M; they, in turn, were bought by Thermo Fisher for $13Bn, citing Ion Torrent as a motivation. Ion Torrent now has 62% of the bench-top sequencing market, estimated to be worth $1.3Bn in 2012.
The first commercial electronic nose (aka e-nose) instruments were designed, developed and built by researchers in Warwick's School of Engineering in the 1990s, and commercialized by [text removed for publication]
Warwick's patents in chemical sensing also led in 2008 to the creation of a spin-out company, Cambridge CMOS Sensors Ltd (CCS), which provides low-cost low-power gas-sensing technology and is already established in the gas-sensing market.
The smart sensors and instrumentation developed as a result of the pioneering research in artificial olfaction and chemical sensing have had economic impacts across a wide range of sectors, in particular in food quality, healthcare and consumer electronics. The two companies employ around 100 people and the thousands of e-nose instruments sold help quality assurance of foods, beverages and are now being deployed in hospitals for bacterial detection.
Two leading manufacturers of clothing for outdoor activities ([text removed for publication]) have produced a new range of functional clothing based on research at Ulster on wearable technologies for the active ageing. The new age-appropriate outdoor garments incorporate wearable technologies that enable self-monitoring of physiological parameters (heart rate, respiration rate) and activity levels (step-counts, distance walked) with optimal placement of sensors to improve signal-to-noise ratio. Additionally, [text removed for publication], a company producing [text removed for publication], have used feedback from Ulster's research evaluations to design a new range of [text removed for publication] that are incorporated into the garments, achieving increased levels of usability by elderly people.
Translational research created new techniques for medical biosignal analysis in both the ECG and Pulse Oximetry areas. CardioDigital, a university spin-out company, was incorporated in 2001 to commercialise the research and became a world leader in the development and supply of signal analysis solutions for the medical device industry. The technology has been applied to defibrillation techniques to improve survival rates following sudden cardiac arrest, with a range of closely linked pulse oximetry based technologies applicable for general ward use. The technologies provide both enhanced and extended performance of the pulse oximeter leading to improved patient care and hospital workflows.
Low-cost wireless solutions beyond the technologies available previously and developed at Loughborough University since 2005 are used by IDC, and Sure, who integrate these technologies in several products and services so generating impacts in terms of:
The technologies have been deployed in a logistics distribution centre (ToysRUs), an automotive manufacturing process (Toyota), and a safety and security system (Sure).
A ground-breaking range of innovative sensor products — the EPIC Sensors — has been developed and marketed world-wide by Plessey Semiconductors Ltd. The EPIC Sensors allow contact-free measurements of electric phenomena, initially aimed at the health, sports and automotive markets. They operate on the non-invasive, low-cost, generic, award-winning Electric Potential Sensor (EPS) technology invented and developed at Sussex as a spin-off from fundamental low-temperature physics research. Income to the University from licence fees, costs and royalties started during 2012. Sustained industry engagement with key strategic partners in the medical, forensic, security, materials testing and geophysics sectors, including government organisations, industry and academia, is leading to a wider awareness and adoption of this novel technology.
A unique aspect of the signal and image processing research at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) lies in exploitation of the synergies between non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of aerostructures in the aerospace manufacturing sector and non-invasive diagnosis (NID) of patients in the medical sector. For the former, through collaborative research with world leading aerospace companies, data processing technologies used in medical NID have been exploited to ensure structural safety of aircraft at reduced time and cost. For the latter, through collaborative research with the UCLan led Europe-wide network which includes top medical research centres and hospitals, sensing technologies used in aerospace NDE have been exploited to create new measurement modalities for quantitative medical diagnosis of major diseases. Furthermore, arising out the cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary research the Tele-immersive Digital Manufacturing facility (TiM) emerges as our vision for the factory of the future which has attracted investments from the world leading digital technology providers and made impacts on one of the most important manufacturing regions in the world.
Slope ALARMS is a novel low-cost sensor that detects acoustic emission and warns of the early signs of impending landslides. It has been developed and patented by Dixon at Loughborough University. British, Italian, Canadian and Austrian organizations with responsibility for vulnerable infrastructure have employed Slope ALARMS sensors since 2008 in locations with high landslide risk. Measurements have provided information on displacement rates and this is making a significant contribution to assessment of slope hazards. The invention has won awards and generated interest globally, raising public and professional awareness of landslide problems and the use of Slope ALARMS.
Research in electronic textiles, described in five granted worldwide patents, is having impacts in the health, sports, defence and fashion sectors. The central impact claimed comprises bringing second generation electronic textiles into manufacture through knitted garments for older people for vital sign monitoring that have been commercialised by a spin-out company, SmartLife Technology Ltd, and the development of a conductive suit for the Ministry of Defence. Work in the unit has also underpinned the development of electrically heated gloves by EXO2 Ltd and a new test for a hip protector system based on an advanced 3D spacer structure by Baltex Ltd. Baltex Ltd and EXO2 Ltd also plan to use the technology to develop additional products.