Lessening Friction: a Summer Studentship update
22 November 2012
We have just heard back from MSc Medical Physics student Manpreet Padwall, who spent his summer studentship helping to develop a new methodology that could pave the way for fabrics that are kinder to the skin.
Prof. Alan Cottenden’s Continence and Skin Technology group have been working towards a solution to a common problem that affects the quality of life of millions of people: soreness caused by friction between the skin and incontinence pads. However, the methodology that they currently employ is particularly time-consuming and laborious. In collaboration with Prof. Peter Rich from Structural & Molecular Biology, the team pioneered the use of an infared spectroscopic technique, normally used for examining biological specimens, to help them to quickly and accurately measure the relationship between the friction-causing and absorptive qualities of non-woven fabrics. This research has the potential to impact on the development of fabrics that are less damaging to the skin, not just in incontinence pads, but in other applications where skin and fabric meet, like wound dressings and protective clothing.
Manpreet enjoyed working between research groups and learning how to use a new piece of equipment with precision, and hopes to bring this experience to his MSc research project.