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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S64929/01
Title: Intelligent Security Markings and Recognition of Textiles (i-SMART) for branded products
Principal Investigator: Lawrence, Professor C
Other Investigators:
Blackburn, Professor RS Bandara, Dr MPU
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Eltex (UK) Limited Fibre Extrusion Technology Home Office
West Yorkshire Police West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service
Department: Sch of Design
Organisation: University of Leeds
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 August 2004 Ends: 31 October 2005 Value (£): 64,550
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Characterisation Materials Processing
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Retail
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The idea is to devise an intelligent label to be incorporated into any branded product. The security markings would involve a modified fibre/filament as tracer element and a subtle alteration to the fabric structure of the label. Both would provide a unique security signature or code discernable by appropriate scanning of the label. The work will be conducted in three parallel phasesPhase-1: will investigate the feasibility of computer-controlled pulsed drawing during synthetic filament production to induce a predetermined wavefrom within the polymeric structure thereby varying, at local interals along the filament length, the uptake of an infrared adsorbing dye. The waveform is then detected by subsequent infrared scanning. The possibility of incoporating conductive or optical tracer particles into the filament during extrusion, to enable capactive or optical scanning as alternatives, will be studied along with the blending of pre-treated and non-treated fibres.Phase-2: will investigate the feasibility of producing security markings through predetermined alterations to the woven fabric crimp during narrow-loom weaving of labels. The alterations depend on the tribological factors associated with the advancing threads of the weave. A study will be made of the possibility of using piezoelectrically controlled elements with computer generated waveforms to, at predefined intervals, monetarily alter the frictional contact of chossen warp threads and thereby vary tensions and produce a coded crimp discernable by appropriate scanning.Phase-3: here the tracer elements of Phase-1 will be used in Phase-2 to produce and demonstrate i-SMART labels.
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Organisation Website: http://www.leeds.ac.uk