STAND

Researchers behind the STAND project – Sensing Textiles enabled with Advanced Novel materials for Diabetic foot care – want to design and develop a wearable system that continuously monitors key indicators such as pressure, temperature and humidity. By combining advanced materials, flexible electronics and data analysis, the Smart Sock will be able to detect early signs of risk supporting timely intervention and reducing the likelihood of ulcers and complications.

Diabetic Foot Syndrome (DFS) affects millions worldwide, with neuropathy reducing foot sensation and increasing the risk of pressure points, skin breakdown, and ulceration. STRIDE addresses this critical health challenge by developing a soft, knitted dorsal sensing sock fully integrated with a detachable plantar sensing layer, enabling continuous monitoring of foot health in everyday life.

The system will provide patients and healthcare professionals with actionable insights on pressure, temperature, and other critical parameters, supporting footwear management and enabling early detection of DFS. Human-centred co-design and clinical validation ensure that the wearable is comfortable, user-friendly, and meets real patient and clinical needs, maximising adoption potential.

STAND leverages solution-processed electronics and Innovative Advanced Materials (IAMs) to create conformable, resilient, and low-impact wearable components, advancing the maturity of flexible electronics from TRL 3 to TRL 6. Sustainability is embedded from the outset: a dedicated work package ensures the use of low-impact materials, monitors circular economy metrics, and plans for reparability and recyclability, supporting energy- and resource-efficient manufacturing pathways aligned with Net Zero objectives.

By combining cutting-edge materials, AI-enabled sensing, and patient-focused design, STAND will enable early intervention, improve patient self-management, and reduce DFS incidence by up to 7% by 2034. The project represents a pathway from fundamental materials innovation to real-world clinical deployment, demonstrating the societal, healthcare, and economic impact of IAM-enabled e-textile technologies.

"STAND is a truly collaborative effort bringing together expertise from across Europe in materials science, textiles, electronics, human-centred design and clinical research," says Andrew Cobley, the project’s Principal Investigator from the Research Centre for Manufacturing and Materials.