Active Materials Lab (AML) studies the design, impact and implementation of textile-based material systems with spatial and temporal properties. Active, 4D, programmable are terms used to describe an emerging class of material capable of altering its properties and/or behaviour in space and across time by sensing internal and external information. A cross section of physical and digital technologies enable this space and inform its development within a textile framework.
The AML team is composed of research, academic and technical members of staff from across UAL in addition to PhD students and Post Doctoral Research assistants. We practice an inclusive approach to research enriched by contributions from all stakeholders.
THE AIM OF THE AML
- To create new knowledge and understanding in the practice of design for active material systems and their agency (Research)
- To identify, develop and nurture technical and academic capability in this space (enhance teaching provision – staff development)
- To develop new cutting-edge curriculum in the areas of design for self- and dis- assembly (new research-led curriculum development)
- To support UAL’s fashion tech, digital, textile and craft disciplines to go beyond the-State-of-the -Art practice (research led teaching)
- To collaborate with students, industry and other research partners to expand the reach and audience of the work beyond the college (KE)