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The Power of ‘Soft’

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 February 2016

Sarah Morehead ,
Raymond Oliver ,
Niamh O’Connor ,
Patrick Stevenson-Keating ,
Anne Toomey  and
Jayne Wallace
Sarah Morehead
Affiliation:
Northumbria University School of Design, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 8ST United Kingdom
Raymond Oliver*
Affiliation:
Northumbria University School of Design, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 8ST United Kingdom
Niamh O’Connor
Affiliation:
Freelance Fashion Design, London, UK
Patrick Stevenson-Keating
Affiliation:
Studio PSK, London, UK
Anne Toomey
Affiliation:
Royal College of Art, London
Jayne Wallace
Affiliation:
Northumbria University School of Design, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 8ST United Kingdom
*
*Author to whom correspondence should be sent [email protected]
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Abstract

Over the last decade, the explosion in research and Development associated with nanoscalar materials has continued apace. In parallel with this has been the rapid rise of both sustainable materials and, as a consequence, Natural, Cellular and Responsive material systems. Many of these originate from inorganic, inorganic-organic hybrid composites and polymeric and bio-nano polymeric systems which exhibit intrinsic physico-chemical properties that can be classed as ‘soft’. That is flexible, malleable, lightweight, transparent or semi-transparent and stretchable in character and which can also offer both biocompatible and bioresorbable characteristics essential to useable and sustainable material systems.

This paper describes some of the ways in which we are beginning to understand, explain and exploit ‘soft’ technology. In particular the interactive role of creative design and innovative material science linked through new fabrication methodologies that have, as their common purpose, a focus on compelling Human centred needs. Examples are health, wellness, ambient assistance and urgent improvements in cleanliness, hygiene and nutrition.

Keywords

aerogelbiomimetic (assembly)polymer
Type
Articles
Information
MRS Advances , Volume 1 , Issue 1: Biomaterials and Soft Materials , 2016 , pp. 69 - 80
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2016 

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