31 March 2004

Student innovation that could help UK's 10 million sufferers of Raynaud's Phenomenon

Photo opportunity 2.15pm, Wednesday 31 March, Ace lab, Ewing Building, University of Dundee

A student will display his "smart gloves" as part of the University of Dundee's annual exhibition of honours and research projects for students of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Physics and Mechanical Engineering on Wednesday 31st March.

22 year old Iain Murray from the Division of Mechanical Engineering has developed self heating gloves to aid sufferers of Raynaud's Phenomenon which affects 10 million people in the UK. This is a condition in which the blood supply to the extremities, usually the fingers and toes becomes interrupted during sudden changes in temperature resulting in considerable pain for the sufferer. Unlike other devices available for patients with this condition, Iain's design is much less cumbersome using micro-engineering techniques to integrate the electronics and power supply into the glove itself.

These self heating gloves termed "smart" gloves, use miniature sensors to constantly monitor and regulate the temperature of the gloves and compensate for any sudden environmental change. This makes them both comfortable for the user and prevents the onset of Raynaud's Phenomenon.

Other projects on show -

Han Teik Yeoh will display his project, a special autocatalytic coating for surgical equipment that could be able to prevent cross contamination and the spread of diseases such as bacterial infection and Creutzfeldt Jacob Disease. This type of project could be used in hospitals and also in the food industry.

Fourth year, Fiona Hillard's project on the modelling and design of an air separation system will be used to advise Dundee City Council on the best design to incorporate into their recycling plant. The system separates light materials such as paper which can be used as fuel from heavier materials such as stone for recycling purposes.

Chun Wang will display his project, a highly sensitive temperature probe for medical devices that will be able to distinguish between benign and malignant tumours. This project could be used in hospitals for cancerous tumours.

Also on show will be projects in silicon chip design and manufacture. University of Dundee is one of only a few universities with the resources to conduct this type of highly-advanced electronic engineering. Students manufacture the chips themselves in a purpose-built, dust-free microelectronics laboratory following initial design tests using computer simulation. The finished circuits measure 4mmx4mm and can contain up to 300 transistors, with some features as small as small as two millionths of a metre long.

Final year student, Gennifer Peng Shi will display her universal logic chip that can be used to combine digital electronic signals in a number of different ways as required by the user. Visitors will also have the opportunity to see fourth year student, Kin Sing Lim's presettable counter chip that monitors the occupancy of car parks.

Many students, particularly those from overseas are attracted to the University by its outstanding reputation in microelectronics.

For further information on the exhibition please contact Pat Cunningham on 01382 344912

For further details on Iain Murray's project please contact Dr Robert Keatch on 01382 344778

By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344768, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk