International Workshop on Electronic Fibres and Textiles

5-7 February 2003
At the University of Wollongong
Wollongong, Australia

The Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (University of Wollongong) hosted an International Workshop on “Electronic Fibres and Textiles” from February 5th-7th 2003, with the financial assistance of DEST under the Innovation Access Program. Twenty-one oral and thirty-one poster presentations were delivered - a book of abstracts is available upon request.. The oral presenters included the 2,000 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, Prof. Alan MacDiarmid, and Australian Professor Graeme Clark (Inventor of the Cochlear Bionic Ear). The poster presentation included exciting work from young Australian and overseas researchers. Prof. Alan MacDiarmid (Nobel Laureate) addressed the audience emphasising the important contribution of young researchers “Young Scientists: The Engines of Creation for the 21st Century”.

All of the Australian participants represented research or commercial organizations with a direct interest in Electronic Fibres and Textiles. The knowledge gained and the knowledge established will undoubtedly impact on the ability of Australian organizations to engage in this new area of research.

The workshop brought together scientists, engineers and textile manufacturers from Australia, France, Finland, Germany, USA, Hong Kong, Iran, New Zealand and Taiwan . There was strong representation from Australian Universities as well as CSIRO (Textile and Fibre Technology) and CSIRO (Forest Products). End users including textile manufacturers (Melba Industries, Australia) were in attendance. Individuals who would be involved in development and exploitation of novel devices e.g. Dr. Tim Scott (North Shore Hospital Service - The Rehabilitation Glove), Bridget Munro (UoW/CSIRO - Biomonitoring Systems), James Waldie (RMIT - Active Space Suits) were also in attendance. Organisations interested in the development and commercialisation of research activities in this area, including Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) and SciVentures (a pre-seed funding organisation), also participated. This dynamic mix of skills and interests provided an excellent forum for discussion centred around the challenges and opportunities in this emerging field.

The poster session was well attended with approximately thirty additional guests from local industry (BHP, Quantum Technology and Polartechnics) and other University Institutes (Telecommunications, Automated Manufacturing) unable to attend the complete workshop.

“The presence of both local and international speakers who are at the forefront of developments in this field establishes a stimulating environment that invariably results in the creation of new opportunities. From the perspective of the TFT participants it gave us the opportunity for face-to-face discussion with world leading researchers with expertise that is particularly relevant to activities currently being carried out under the IPRI/TFT Alliance.”

Dr. Barry Holcombe
(CSIRO, Textile and Fibre Technology)

Undoubtedly a number of new linkages will emerge from the workshop activities over the coming months. The workshop attracted significant attention in the national and radio media as well as local television coverage (WIN TV).

A follow up event is planned in association with the next International Conference on Synthetic Metals to be hosted by the University of Wollongong in July 2004. Approximately one thousand scientists are expected to attend this event and Electronic Fibres and Textiles will be an important component. This will provide a more expansive audience for presentation of Australian research and development, commercialisation and manufacturing capabilities in this important area. The recently completed workshop has established the links and framework necessary for the Australian contingent in this area to present a coordinated effect to this important international audience.

“The 2003 IPRI International Workshop on Electronic Fibres and Textiles was an excellent platform for the CRC personnel who attended to learn of new developments in the area of conducting polymers. It has helped formulate ideas on how this new technology might be applied to paper and to assist with product development. The opportunity to meet so many of the experts in this field at a single venue and establish new linkages was also highly beneficial.”

Dr. Nafty Vanderhoek
(CSIRO, Forest Products and
CRC for Functional Surfaces)