The RUST project is a 9 month TSB sponsored project that will create novel "assisted living" footwear for diabetic patients. Diabetics develop foot ulcers as they tend to lack feelings in the limbs and peripheral nerves, i.e. numb feelings sometimes referred to as an "anaesthetic foot". This lack of feeling means that the sufferer cannot detect the pressure caused by rubbing or injury on the base of their foot, which if not dealt with apropriately can lead to the occurrence of foot ulcers.The NHS currently treats 300,000 foot ulcers each year, at a cost of £650m. The aim of this project is to introduce a new technology into the footwear industry that successfully minimises the point pressures impacting on the diabetic foot, therefore reducing the occurence of foot ulcers.

Jaguar Land Rover has brought together and is leading a consortium of technology partners including seat supplier Johnson Controls and a Coventry based innovative SME, CL-7 supported by Coventry University automotive and industrial design specialists to research and develop a novel lightweight seating architecture for the premium automotive sector and with applications to electric vehicles that will reduce CO2 emissions, improve cabin climate comfort and reduce the load on vehicle heating and ventilation systems by the application of new materials, simulation and optimisation processes.