320 research outputs found

    The Potential of Electrospinning to Enable the Realization of Energy-Autonomous Wearable Sensing Systems

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    The market for wearable electronic devices is experiencing significant growth and increasing potential for the future. Researchers worldwide are actively working to improve these devices, particularly in developing wearable electronics with balanced functionality and wearability for commercialization. Electrospinning, a technology that creates nano/microfiber-based membranes with high surface area, porosity, and favorable mechanical properties for human in vitro and in vivo applications using a broad range of materials, is proving to be a promising approach. Wearable electronic devices can use mechanical, thermal, evaporative and solar energy harvesting technologies to generate power for future energy needs, providing more options than traditional sources. This review offers a comprehensive analysis of how electrospinning technology can be used in energy-autonomous wearable wireless sensing systems. It provides an overview of the electrospinning technology, fundamental mechanisms, and applications in energy scavenging, human physiological signal sensing, energy storage, and antenna for data transmission. The review discusses combining wearable electronic technology and textile engineering to create superior wearable devices and increase future collaboration opportunities. Additionally, the challenges related to conducting appropriate testing for market-ready products using these devices are also discussed

    Monitoring Cardiovascular Physiology using Bio-compatible AlN Piezoelectric Skin Sensors

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    Arterial pulse waves contain a wealth of parameters indicative of cardiovascular disease. As such, monitoring them continuously and unobtrusively can provide health professionals with a steady stream of cardiovascular health indices, allowing for the development of efficient, individualized treatments and early cardiovascular disease diagnosis solutions. Blood pulsations in superficial arteries cause skin surface deformations, typically undetectable to the human eye; therefore, Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) can be used to measure these deformations and thus create unobtrusive pulse wave monitoring devices. Miniaturized ultrathin and flexible Aluminium Nitride (AlN) piezoelectric MEMS are highly sensitive to minute mechanical deformations, making them suitable for detecting the skin deformations caused by cardiac events and consequently providing multiple biomarkers useful for monitoring cardiovascular health and assessing cardiovascular disease risk. Conventional wearable continuous pulse wave monitoring solutions are typically large and based on technologies limiting their versatility. Therefore, we propose the adoption of 29.5 μm-thick biocompatible, skin-conforming devices on piezoelectric AlN to create versatile, multipurpose arterial pulse wave monitoring devices. In our initial trials, the devices are placed over arteries along the wrist (radial artery), neck (carotid artery), and suprasternal notch (on the chest wall and close to the ascending aorta). We also leverage the mechano-acoustic properties of the device to detect heart muscle vibrations corresponding to heart sounds S1 and S2 from the suprasternal notch measurement site. Finally, we characterize the piezoelectric device outputs observed with the cardiac cycle events using synchronized electrocardiogram (ECG) reference signals and provide information on heart rate, breathing rate, and heart sounds. The extracted parameters strongly agree with reference values as illustrated by minimum Pearson correlation coefficients (r) of 0.81 for pulse rate and 0.95 for breathing rate

    Challenges and Limitation Analysis of an IoT-Dependent System for Deployment in Smart Healthcare Using Communication Standards Features

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    The use of IoT technology is rapidly increasing in healthcare development and smart healthcare system for fitness programs, monitoring, data analysis, etc. To improve the efficiency of monitoring, various studies have been conducted in this field to achieve improved precision. The architecture proposed herein is based on IoT integrated with a cloud system in which power absorption and accuracy are major concerns. We discuss and analyze development in this domain to improve the performance of IoT systems related to health care. Standards of communication for IoT data transmission and reception can help to understand the exact power absorption in different devices to achieve improved performance for healthcare development. We also systematically analyze the use of IoT in healthcare systems using cloud features, as well as the performance and limitations of IoT in this field. Furthermore, we discuss the design of an IoT system for efficient monitoring of various healthcare issues in elderly people and limitations of an existing system in terms of resources, power absorption and security when implemented in different devices as per requirements. Blood pressure and heartbeat monitoring in pregnant women are examples of high-intensity applications of NB-IoT (narrowband IoT), technology that supports widespread communication with a very low data cost and minimum processing complexity and battery lifespan. This article also focuses on analysis of the performance of narrowband IoT in terms of delay and throughput using singleand multinode approaches. We performed analysis using the message queuing telemetry transport protocol (MQTTP), which was found to be efficient compared to the limited application protocol (LAP) in sending information from sensors.Ministerio Español de Ciencia e Innovación under project number PID2020-115570GB-C22 (DemocratAI::UGR)Cátedra de Empresa Tecnología para las Personas (UGR-Fujitsu

    The 2023 wearable photoplethysmography roadmap

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    Photoplethysmography is a key sensing technology which is used in wearable devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers. Currently, photoplethysmography sensors are used to monitor physiological parameters including heart rate and heart rhythm, and to track activities like sleep and exercise. Yet, wearable photoplethysmography has potential to provide much more information on health and wellbeing, which could inform clinical decision making. This Roadmap outlines directions for research and development to realise the full potential of wearable photoplethysmography. Experts discuss key topics within the areas of sensor design, signal processing, clinical applications, and research directions. Their perspectives provide valuable guidance to researchers developing wearable photoplethysmography technology

    Wearable sensors for respiration monitoring: a review

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    This paper provides an overview of flexible and wearable respiration sensors with emphasis on their significance in healthcare applications. The paper classifies these sensors based on their operating frequency distinguishing between high-frequency sensors, which operate above 10 MHz, and low-frequency sensors, which operate below this level. The operating principles of breathing sensors as well as the materials and fabrication techniques employed in their design are addressed. The existing research highlights the need for robust and flexible materials to enable the development of reliable and comfortable sensors. Finally, the paper presents potential research directions and proposes research challenges in the field of flexible and wearable respiration sensors. By identifying emerging trends and gaps in knowledge, this review can encourage further advancements and innovation in the rapidly evolving domain of flexible and wearable sensors.This work was supported by the Spanish Government (MICINN) under Projects TED2021-131209B-I00 and PID2021-124288OB-I00.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

    Hydrolysis-directed Vapor-phase Synthesis and Solution Processing of Nanostructured Conducting Polymers

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    Conducting polymers are a class of organic material that possesses semiconducting properties. Their unique molecular structure facilitates charge transport via delocalized π-electron network in the polymer backbone. Creating nanostructures in a conducting polymer increases its surface area to volume ratio and promotes molecular interaction at the surface of the polymer, resulting in enhanced physical and chemical properties, such as ion transfer, adsorption/desorption efficiency, and electrical conductivity. This dissertation focuses on synthesizing nanostructured conducting polymers and their composites from the vapor phase. The mechanisms in a novel synthetic strategy that utilizes iron corrosion products to initiate polymerization and template nanostructure formation is examined. Vapor-phase synthesis is carried out on both organic and inorganic substrates, and varying reaction conditions, such as temperature, reaction time, or anions in the iron(III) salt, creates a spectrum of morphologies (0D particles, 1D fibers, and amorphous films). This dissertation also presents methods for overcoming challenges in conducting polymer processing. Vapor-phase synthesized conducting polymers are fabricated into electrodes for state-of-art supercapacitors, humidity and temperature sensors, and proof-of-concept functional 3D-printed objects

    Embodied interaction with guitars: instruments, embodied practices and ecologies

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    In this thesis I investigate the embodied performance preparation practices of guitarists to design and develop tools to support them. To do so, I employ a series of human-centred design methodologies such as design ethnography, participatory design, and soma design. The initial ethnographic study I conducted involved observing guitarists preparing to perform individually and with their bands in their habitual places of practice. I also interviewed these musicians on their preparation activities. Findings of this study allowed me to chart an ecology of tools and resources employed in the process, as well as pinpoint a series of design opportunities for augmenting guitars, namely supporting (1) encumbered interactions, (2) contextual interactions, and (3) connected interactions. Going forward with the design process I focused on remediating encumbered interactions that emerge during performance preparation with multimedia devices, particularly during instrumental transcription. I then prepared and ran a series of hands-on co-design workshops with guitarists to discuss five media controller prototypes, namely, instrument-mounted controls, pedal-based controls, voice-based controls, gesture-based controls, and “music-based” controls. This study highlighted the value that guitarists give to their guitars and to their existing practice spaces, tools, and resources by critically reflecting on how these interaction modalities would support or disturb their existing embodied preparation practices with the instrument. In parallel with this study, I had the opportunity to participate in a soma design workshop (and then prepare my own) in which I harnessed my first-person perspective of guitar playing to guide the design process. By exploring a series of embodied ideation and somatic methods, as well as materials and sensors across several points of contact between our bodies and the guitar, we collaboratively ideated a series of design concepts for guitar across both workshops, such as a series of breathing guitars, stretchy straps, and soft pedals. I then continued to develop and refine the Stretchy Strap concept into a guitar strap augmented with electronic textile stretch sensors to harness it as an embodied media controller to remediate encumbered interaction during musical transcription with guitar when using secondary multimedia resources. The device was subsequently evaluated by guitarists at a home practicing space, providing insights on nuanced aspects of its embodied use, such as how certain media control actions like play and pause are better supported by the bodily gestures enacted with the strap, whilst other actions, like rewinding the play back or setting in and out points for a loop are better supported by existing peripherals like keyboards and mice, as these activities do not necessarily happen in the flow of the embodied practice of musical transcription. Reflecting on the overall design process, a series of considerations are extracted for designing embodied interactions with guitars, namely, (1) considering the instrument and its potential for augmentation, i.e., considering the shape of the guitar, its material and its cultural identity, (2) considering the embodied practices with the instrument, i.e., the body and the subjective felt experience of the guitarist during their skilled embodied practices with the instrument and how these determine its expert use according to a particular instrumental tradition and/or musical practice, and (3) considering the practice ecology of the guitarist, i.e., the tools, resources, and spaces they use according to their practice

    Advanced Materials and Technologies in Nanogenerators

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    This reprint discusses the various applications, new materials, and evolution in the field of nanogenerators. This lays the foundation for the popularization of their broad applications in energy science, environmental protection, wearable electronics, self-powered sensors, medical science, robotics, and artificial intelligence

    Assessment of ambient assisted living systems for patients with mild cognitive impairment

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    According to the World Health Organization, about 50 million people worldwide suffer from dementia. Ten million new cases added every year. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) affects more than 15% of the population aged 65. Technological solutions, such as smart home technology with ubiquitous computing devices, 24/7 telemedical observation and support can alleviate the growing problem and lower pressure on the healthcare system. This approach is also preferable for homecare patients in distant and rural areas. MCI patients are mostly home-based. Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) systems provide tools for automatic registration of vital signs and other medically and socially important information. AAL system for MCI patients is a logical answer to the problem. At the same time, many of the proposed AAL systems are proprietary, technically complicated and have a high price tag for implementation and service. Also, some proposed technical solutions not entirely reflect the opinion of healthcare stakeholders. The current study was proposed as a way to bridge the possible differences in the positions. An online anonymous questionnaire for healthcare professionals was created to prove or disprove the number of interconnected hypotheses about the necessity and feasibility of AAL system for MCI patients. The main focus was made on the hypotheses: "There is necessity of AAL systems for the healthcare" and "AAL systems are capable of providing assistance for patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment". The questionnaire was presented to more than three hundred potential respondents. Around a hundred and twenty agreed to fill it, and sixty completed the whole questionnaire. Results were analyzed to produce some directions guideline for future technical applications of AAL systems for MCI patients and future research. Descriptive statistics show support for the implementation of general AAL and variants for MCI patients. Comparative analysis of ordinal data for specific groups of respondents is done with help of non-parametric tests. Mann–Whitney–Wilcoxon test and Kruskal-Wallis test are applied. Table questions results are analyzed with chisquare for frequency tables. Group analysis demonstrated relative positive uniformity in of responses in the support of AAL of MCI patients.Segundo a Organização Mundial da Saúde, cerca de 50 milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo sofrem de demência. Dez milhões de novos casos adicionados a cada ano. O comprometimento cognitivo leve (MCI) afeta mais de 15% da população com 65 anos. Soluções tecnológicas, como tecnologia de casa inteligente com dispositivos de computação onipresentes, observação e suporte telemédico 24 horas por dia, 7 dias por semana, podem aliviar o problema crescente e diminuir a pressão sobre o sistema de saúde. Essa abordagem também é preferível para pacientes de cuidados domiciliares em áreas distantes e rurais. Os pacientes com CCL são, em sua maioria, domiciliares. Os sistemas Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) fornecem ferramentas para registro automático de sinais vitais e outras informações médicas e socialmente importantes. O sistema AAL para pacientes com MCI é uma resposta lógica para o problema. Ao mesmo tempo, muitos dos sistemas AAL propostos são proprietários, tecnicamente complicados e têm um alto preço para implementação e serviço. Além disso, algumas soluções técnicas propostas não refletem inteiramente a opinião das partes interessadas na área da saúde. O presente estudo foi proposto como forma de colmatar as possíveis diferenças nas posições. Um questionário anônimo online para profissionais de saúde foi criado para comprovar ou refutar o número de hipóteses interligadas sobre a necessidade e viabilidade do sistema AAL para pacientes com CCL. O foco principal foi feito nas hipóteses: "Há necessidade de sistemas de AAL para a saúde" e "Os sistemas de AAL são capazes de prestar assistência a pacientes com Comprometimento Cognitivo Leve". O questionário foi apresentado a mais de trezentos respondentes potenciais. Cerca de cento e vinte concordaram em preenchê-lo e sessenta preencheram todo o questionário. Os resultados foram analisados para produzir algumas diretrizes para futuras aplicações técnicas de sistemas AAL para pacientes com MCI e pesquisas futuras. Estatísticas descritivas mostram suporte para a implementação de AAL geral e variantes para pacientes com CCL. A análise comparativa de dados ordinais para grupos específicos de respondentes é feita com a ajuda de testes não paramétricos. Aplicam-se os testes de Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon e Kruskal-Wallis. Os resultados das questões da tabela são analisados com qui-quadrado para tabelas de frequência. A análise do grupo demonstrou relativa uniformidade positiva nas respostas no suporte de AAL de pacientes com CCL.Selon l'Organisation mondiale de la santé, environ 50 millions de personnes dans le monde souffrent de démence. Dix millions de nouveaux cas ajoutés chaque année. Les troubles cognitifs légers (MCI) touchent plus de 15 % de la population âgée de 65 ans. Les solutions technologiques, telles que la technologie de la maison intelligente avec des appareils informatiques omniprésents, l'observation et le soutien télémédicaux 24 heures sur 24, 7 jours sur 7, peuvent atténuer le problème croissant et réduire la pression sur le système de santé. Cette approche est également préférable pour les patients en soins à domicile dans les régions éloignées et rurales. Les patients MCI sont pour la plupart à domicile. Les systèmes Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) fournissent des outils pour l'enregistrement automatique des signes vitaux et d'autres informations importantes sur le plan médical et social. Le système AAL pour les patients MCI est une réponse logique au problème. Dans le même temps, bon nombre des systèmes AAL proposés sont propriétaires, techniquement compliqués et ont un prix élevé pour la mise en oeuvre et le service. De plus, certaines solutions techniques proposées ne reflètent pas entièrement l'opinion des acteurs de santé. L'étude actuelle a été proposée comme un moyen de combler les différences possible dans les positions. Un questionnaire anonyme en ligne destiné aux professionnels de la santé a été créé pour prouver ou réfuter le nombre d'hypothèses interconnectées sur la nécessité et la faisabilité du système AAL pour les patients MCI. L'accent a été mis principalement sur les hypothèses: "Il existe une nécessité de systèmes AAL pour les soins de santé" et "Les systèmes AAL sont capables de fournir une assistance aux patients atteints de troubles cognitifs légers". Le questionnaire a été présenté à plus de trois cents répondants potentiels. Environ cent vingt ont accepté de le remplir, et soixante ont rempli tout le questionnaire. Les résultats ont été analysés pour produire des lignes directrices pour les futures applications techniques des systèmes AAL pour les patients MCI et l'avenir de la recherche. Les statistiques descriptives montrent un soutien à la mise en oeuvre de l'AAL général et des variantes pour les patients MCI. L'analyse comparative des données ordinales pour des groupes spécifiques de répondants est effectuée à l'aide de tests non paramétriques. Le test de Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon et le test de Kruskal-Wallis sont appliqués. Les résultats des questions de tableau sont analysés avec le chi carré pour les tableaux de fréquence. L'analyse de groupe a démontré une uniformité positive relative dans les réponses à l'appui de l'AAL des patients MCI

    Stretch sensors for measuring knee kinematics in sports

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    The popularity of wearable technology in sport has increased, due to its ability to provide unobtrusive monitoring of athletes. This technology has been used to objectively measure kinetic and kinematic variables, with the aim of preventing injury, maximising athletic performance and classifying the skill level of athletes, all of which can influence training and coaching practices. Wearable technologies overcome the limitations of motion capture systems which are limited in their capture volume, enabling the collection of data in-field, during training and competition. Inertial sensors are a common form of technology used in these environments however, their high-cost and complex calibration due to multiple sensor integration can make them prohibitive for widespread use. This thesis focuses on the development of a strain sensor that can be used to measure knee range of motion in sports, specifically rowing and cycling, as a potential low-cost, lightweight alternative to inertial sensors which can also be integrated into clothing, making them more discreet. A systematic review highlighted the lack of alternate technologies to inertial sensors such as strain sensors, as well as the limited use of wearable technologies in both rowing and cycling. Strain sensors were fabricated from a carbon nanotube-natural rubber composite using solvent exchange techniques and employed a piezoresistive sensing mechanism. These were then characterised using mechanical testing, to determine their electrical properties under cyclical strain. The strain sensors displayed hysteretic behaviour, but were durable, withstanding over 4500 strain cycles. Statistical analysis indicated that over 60% of the tests conducted had good intra-test variability with regards to the resistance response range in each strain cycle and sensor response deviating by less than 10% at strain rates below 100 mm/min and less than 20% at a strain rate of 350 mm/min. These sensors were integrated into a wearable sensor system and tested on rowing and cycling cohorts consisting of ten athletes each, to assess the translational use of the strain sensor. This preliminary testing indicated that strain sensors were able to track the motion of the knee during the rowing stroke and cycling pedalling motion, when compared to the output of a motion capture system. Perspectives of participants on the wearable system were collected, which indicated their desire for a system that they could use in their sport, and they considered the translation of this system for real-life use with further development to improve comfort of the system and consistency of the sensor response. The strain sensors developed in this project, when integrated into a wearable sensor system, have the potential to provide an unobtrusive method of measuring knee kinematics, helping athletes, coaches and other support staff make technical changes that can reduce injury risk and improve performance.Open Acces
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