Topic
STAND aims to transform the management and prevention of Diabetic Foot Syndrome (DFS) through a next-generation, textile-based wearable system that integrates Innovative Advanced Materials (IAMs) with flexible electronics and AI-enabled autonomous sensing. 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 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.