Research

Research comprises the forefront in human's strive for continuous development and evolution. Conducting research is part of my exploratory and problem-solving nature and a task that fulfills me. With regards to this, I am a member of the Centre for Media Communications Research and Brunel Institute for Ageing Studies at Brunel University and member of the IEEE and IET.

My research areas are in the area of Multimedia Technology and Design and particularly in the areas of Human Computer Interaction and 3D Applications & Virtual Reality. I am particularly interested in investigating how digital economy can enable a more sustainable society, especially in the areas of health and wellbeing, ageing, defence training and energy use at home and beyond.

I have been investigating the barriers in the use of game sensor technologies, virtual reality and serious games for use in the rehabilitation of patients suffering from various neurophysiological health conditions (i.e. stroke, MSK) and have proposed design interventions following user-led design and bespoking of games and technologies to suit the needs of the individual. I am currently investigating their use in neurodegenerative diseases Parkinson’s disease, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, as well as their use in defence training and improving the quality of life and wellbeing of the ageing. My research interests lie in the areas of:

>> Serious games for neurophysiological health conditions & the ageing
>> Virtual reality and game sensor technologies for stroke, MSK and Parkinson patients
>> Digital economy/technologies and energy
>> Human computer interaction, user-centred design and Usability.
>> Gamification in education, health, business and defence

- Research Projects
- Research Students
- Professional Research Membership
Research Projects
Principal-investigator in the NHS London RIF fundedproject entitled Innovating rehabilitation using Wii technology and telerehabilitation: exploring and evaluating the experience . The aim of this project is to examine therapist use and patient experience of using Wii console technology in physical rehabilitation programmes in four NHS Trusts across hospital and community settings e.g. stroke, musculoskeletal, amputees/prosthetics.The study is divided into two stages. The first stage of the project aims to recruit 200 patients plus thier treating therapists. Data gathered from stage 1 will inform stage 2 of the study that aims to develop a patient and health professional friendly customised Wii system that allows patients to complete individualised rehabilitation programmes. It is envisaged that evidence gained from stage 2 will be used to help develop a health console prototype and how this can be taken forward for healthcare with market suppliers in the gaming console industry will be explored. £140,000 (15 months). October 2010-December 2011.
Co-investigator in the FP7-ICT-2009-4 STREP project entitled Live Immerse Video-Audio Interactive Multimedia (3D VIVANT). 3D VIVANT will investigate the generation of a novel true 3D video technology, by taking advantage of 3D Holoscopic imaging and holography technologies to carry out a feasibility study and develop a demonstrator of an end-to-end 3D broadcast system which offers fatigue free 3D viewing independent of the viewer's position (i.e. no need for head tracking). In the proposed system the 3D content is captured using a single camera and/or computer generated to allow for mixed 3D video generation, coded to allow efficient transmission, and displayed at the highest resolution possible. The CI would have technical contribution in several work packages and will assume the role of the Project Manager (Administrative management) as well as become WP1 and WP8 Leader. €3.6 million (36 months). January 2010-2013.
Co-investigator in the EP/H020543/1 EPSRC/MOD project entitled Solar Soldier. The Solar Soldier project investigates the development of Photo Voltaic-Thermo Electric technology for defence use and the research question investigated by Brunel looks at "How could one integrate the Photo Voltaic-Thermo Electric technology epitomising the solar soldier concept, from a human interface/design perspective?" Hence the aim is to enable the new technology/device to be adopted seamlessly by the infantry soldier in an efficient, effective and usable manner. £790K (24 months). October 2009-2011.
BITe
Principal investigator of the WestFocus HEIF3 research project BITe (Barriers to Interactive Television). BITe is a HEIF3 Creative MMI project that investigated users' domestic exploitation of interactive audio visual technology and has resulted to the development of a commercially valued prototype for future home TV systems. £30K (24 months) - completed in 2008.
BMTV
Co-investigator in the WestFocus project BMTV (Broadcast Mobile Television). The Overall objective of BMTV was to commercially exploit expertise at Brunel in the area of mobile TV and provide a proof of concept demonstration of an TV guide creation software tool and prepare a detailed business plan. £50K (12 months)- completed in 2008.
UITS
Research assistant in the WestFocus funded User-led Interactive Television Services (UITS) project. Conducted collaborative research in the field of creative User interface and Television service creation. Designed and developed creative user-led interactive Digital TV services to be validated in user studies by actual TV viewers. £50K (12 months)- completed in 2006.
Research assistant in the FP6-IST-1-507014 EU funded project entitled IP-Based Networks, Services and TermINals for Converged SysTems (INSTINCT). The INSTINCT project aimed at a carrier grade fully specified and open final platform for the delivery of convergent services in collaborating wireless communications and terrestrial broadcast networks involving 20 European and 5 Brazilian partners. Conducted research in the specification, design and development of creative processes and tools for the effective and efficient fast prototyping and creation of novel interactive DTV services. €9.6 million (36 months)- completed in 2005.

Research - PhD Students

Completed PhD

Name Topic Completion Date
Dr Moxian Liu Semi-Automated Mobile Television Interactive Application Generation Based on XHTML and Java Me December 2010

Current PhD Students

Name Topic Start Date
Mr Ioannis Paraskevopoulos Investigating the use of VR tools and game sensors for the development of Defence and Commercial applications. November 2009
Mrs Kawther Rekabi Investigating the use of mixed e-learning tools for measuring attention span and student achievement March 2010
Mr Achilleas Tsitroulis Semi-automated 3D facial expresion animation and hand gestures for the hearing impaired January 2011
Mr Sultan Efe Serious games for understanding learning, interaction and decision making in learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder January 2011

PhD Topics of Interest

If you are interested in conducting a PhD in any of the above research areas or the following representative topis, please click here to contact me:

  • The use of game sensor technologies, such as Microsoft Kinect, Nintendo Wii as a motion capture solution for health, cultural heritage, art/performance, entertainment applications
  • Serious game design and development for health and defense training applications.
  • Semi-automating 3D character body or facial animnation for health, entertainment applications
  • 3D Simulation tools and applications for renwable energy, security and defense applications
  • Telerehabilitation and telemonitoring tools using open source 3D technologies and tools
  • e-learning tools and applications using 3D and VR tools and technologies

 

Image from the Solar Soldier Project

Image from the Solar Soldier Project

Image from the ReWiiRe Project

Image from the BITe Project