Actualizing agency through smart products: Smart materials and metaphors in support of the ageing population

Technological innovation is increasingly contributing to the development of Smart Products- SPs-, meant as autonomous devices augmented by sensing, processing and network capabilities. Given the reduced familiarity that the ageing population has with technological products, it is deemed appropriate to deploy SPs to enhance the experience with technologies of this population segment. Recent studies in interaction design demonstrate how analogies and metaphors, powerful learning tools for written, verbal and visual communication, can be physically embedded into products to improve the interaction with the users. Metaphors, that can trigger established knowledge domains, allow users to create bridges between old and new products making the product more intuitive. This study proposes that Smart Materials (SMs) may be more successful for embedding multi-sensorial metaphors into novel SPs, increasing the chance of adoption among ageing users. A novel device has been designed using four different SMs families in order to evaluate which design would be more intuitive among the users. 62 participants (N=31 under-60 years-old and N=31 over-60 years-old) assessed the 32 interactions designed. Findings reveal how age impacts the selection of the preferred interaction and how SMs can embed metaphors to support the users re-establishing their own subjective awareness, hence control, of the world around them.This research study has been supported by the EU-funded FP7 collaborative research project Light.Touch.Matters (LTM), under agreement n°31031

Pathway map development for medical device event reporting in operating theatres: a human factors approach to improving the existing system

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to develop the actual pathway to reporting and information transfer in operating theatres in relation to medical technology malfunction/failure. This with the aim of understanding the differences with the pathway published by NHS Improvement and identification of points for improvement. DESIGN: This is a qualitative study involving stakeholder interviews with doctors, nurses, manufacturers, medical device safety officer and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. SETTING: Data were collected on reporting pathway used in operating theatres. Clinical staff who took part worked in different trusts throughout UK while manufacturers provided devices in UK and EU/USA. PARTICIPANTS: Semistructured interviews were completed with 15 clinicians and 13 manufacturers. Surveys were completed by 38 clinicians and 5 manufacturers. Recognised methods of pathway development were used. The Lean Six Sigma principles adapted to healthcare were used to develop suggestions for improvement. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To identify the differences between the set pathway to reporting and information transfer to what is occurring on a day-to-day basis as reported by staff. Identify points in the pathway where improvements could be applied. RESULTS: The developed pathway demonstrated great complexity of the current reporting system for medical devices. It identified numerous areas that give rise to problems and multiple biases in decision making. This highlighted the core issues leading to under-reporting and lack of knowledge on device performance and patient risk. Suggestions for improvement were deduced based on end user requirements and identified problems. CONCLUSIONS: This study has provided a detailed understanding of the key problem areas that exist within the current reporting system for medical devices and technology. The developed pathway sets to address the key problems to improve reporting outcomes. The identification of pathway differences between 'work as done' and 'work as imagined' can lead to development of quality improvements that could be systematically applied

Metaphors and analogies through smart materials to mitigate age-related differences in the understanding of technology

Copyright © The Author(s) 2018. Older adults, due to their changing physical and cognitive abilities, might still be challenged by understanding and adopting smart technologies. In line with such research enquiry, ‘metaphors’ and ‘analogies’, powerful learning tools for written and verbal communication, have been investigated as ‘non-linguistic’ tools, when embedded into product shapes and features, to facilitate the users’ understanding of products functionalities. In this study, analogies and metaphors are physically ‘embodied’ into products’ design through the adoption of Smart Materials (SMs). A novel device was designed to explore such approach using four different SMs families to evaluate which design would be more intuitive for two group of users in a comparative, exploratory study. Findings reveal that embodied SMs help considerably in the mitigation of age-related differences and in the understanding of technologies due to facilitated retrieving of older adults’ prior knowledge. This, in return, may increase the chance of technology adoption among ageing users

Materiality, Assistive Technologies and Everyday Life

There has been increasing recognition of the significance of material culture, including the role of objects and technologies, in health and social care. Objects that are central to our mundane habitual everyday lives, are often experienced as taken-for-granted and unnoticed, with the objects embodied and embedded in our tacit and daily routines. Assistive technologies as objects can either be very small (glasses and hearing aids) or much larger in size (walking sticks, wheelchairs). Assistive technologies can become central to people’s daily routines and be experienced as mundane, taken-for-granted and invisible. Alternatively, assistive technologies can feel ever-present and highly visible within personal and social worlds. Assistive technologies are moreover imbued with sociocultural and emotional meanings. The aim of this paper is to: (1) draw attention to the materiality of assistive technologies as objects; and (2) explore the use of assistive technologies as material objects in the research process. Our research involved six focus groups – 4 with older adults and 2 with younger adults – to explore different and diverse perspectives around assistive technologies. We conclude by highlighting how a material approach can illuminate interconnections between the body, emotions, objects and the sociocultural context; the in/visibility of assistive technologies in everyday life; and the ways narratives around assistive technologies interconnect with positive and negative images of ageing.Brunel Research Institutes (INTER Award: Cross Boundaries User-Centred Design and Health Science = Objects of Desire and Objects of Disgust: Human centred Design for Assistive Medical Devices)

A puzzling Mule Coin from the Parabita Hoard: a Material Characterisation

In this research, we report on the compositional, microstructural and crystallographic properties of a lead coin which has been regarded for many years as a genuine silver coin minted in the Southern Italy in the course of the 4th century BC. The material characterisation of this object allowed detecting an ancient forging technology, not previously reported, which was meant for the silvering of lead substrates The data collected have disclosed a contemporary counterfeiting procedure based on a metal coating process onto a Pb substrate. This coating has been identified as a bi-layer with a Cu innermost and an Ag outermost visible layer. As far as the coating application technique is concerned, the gathered evidence has clearly indicated that the original appearance of this artifact cannot be explained in terms of any of the established methods for the growth of an artificially silvered coating in classical antiquity. This technology is now being explained in terms of modern, fully non destructive scientific methods.Comment: 9 pages including 8 figures. To be presented at the Cavallino Archaeometry Workshop 2006, Cavallino (Lecce - Italy) - May 22-25, 200

From Medical Devices to Everyday Products: Exploring cross-cultural perceptions of Assistive Technology

© 2019 The Author(s). Currently, the assistive technologies (ATs) market is underdeveloped, which limits individual choices. Many people appear reconciled to using available products that, at best, match functionalities to compensate for physical deficiencies. Yet people express a desire for personalized, elegant, discreet and bold artefacts that match their lifestyle and provide opportunities for self-expression. This study adopts a materiality-inspired methodology to explore ATs and to elicit insights into the perceptions and emotions of the study participants towards them. A comparative exploratory study between the UK and Taiwan has been conducted to explore diverse and cross-cultural perceptions. The findings suggest that the design of ATs needs to go beyond traditional considerations, such as price and compliance, and instead focus on how these products enhance users’ positive sense of self. This in return may increase the rate of successful adoption of ATs in everyday life

Characterization of CdTe with photoelectronic techniques

Thermally stimulated current (TSC) and space-charge limited current (SCLC) measurements have been performed in CdTe grown by Bridgman method with various In dopings and grown from Te-rich solution with Cl doping. Hole traps have been evidenced at 0.07, 0.14, 0.25 and 0.36 eV from valence band, while electron traps are at 0.05, 0.34, 0.52 and 0.62 eV from conduction band. Measurements of activation energies of resistivity vs temperature curves indicate which of these should correspond to donors or acceptors centers. Various methods of analysis were used both for TSC and for SCLC results, in order to determine the more suitable ones. Finally TSC and SCLC are compared and discussed as methods for CdTe characterization.Des mesures de courants thermostimulés ou limités par charge d'espace ont été employées pour caractériser des cristaux de tellurure de cadmium préparés soit par la méthode de Bridgman (avec différents niveaux de dopage à l'In) soit par le procédé THM sous solvant tellure (avec dopage au C1). Les pièges suivants ont été identifiés : pour les trous, des niveaux localisés à 0,07, 0,14, 0,25, 0,36 eV de la bande de valence, pour les électrons à 0,05, 0,34, 052 et 0,62 eV de la bande de conduction. A partir des mesures de résistivité en fonction de la température il a été possible de déterminer les niveaux donneurs et accepteurs, respectivement. L'analyse des courbes de courants thermostimulés et de charge d'espace a été effectuée de plusieurs façons, afin de déterminer les conditions optimales d'analyse. Finalement, les mérites respectifs de ces deux procédés de caractérisation seront discutés dans le cas où elles sont mises en œuvre sur CdTe

Unmet clinical needs for COVID-19 tests in UK health and social care settings

There is an urgent requirement to identify which clinical settings are in most need of COVID-19 tests and the priority role(s) for tests in these settings to accelerate the development of tests fit for purpose in health and social care across the UK. This study sought to identify and prioritize unmet clinical needs for COVID-19 tests across different settings within the UK health and social care sector via an online survey of health and social care professionals and policymakers. Four hundred and forty-seven responses were received between 22nd May and 15th June 2020. Hospitals and care homes were recognized as the settings with the greatest unmet clinical need for COVID-19 diagnostics, despite reporting more access to laboratory molecular testing than other settings. Hospital staff identified a need for diagnostic tests for symptomatic workers and patients. In contrast, care home staff expressed an urgency for screening at the front door to protect high-risk residents and limit transmission. The length of time to test result was considered a widespread problem with current testing across all settings. Rapid tests for staff were regarded as an area of need across general practice and dental settings alongside tests to limit antibiotics use

Contemporary themes in the design of AT for the ageing population: materiality, co-design and cultural influences

Products we purchase are much more than artefacts that fulfil functional needs in our life. We have grown to enact our consumer choices, even those regarding fast moving consumable goods, with careful considerations informed by numerous trials, recommendations and, growingly, environmental concerns in mind. Advanced manufacturing and progress in research and development are providing more choices for consumers even in quite specific and complex product markets. An exemption to this market trend is represented by assistive technologies (ATs). This is a relatively underdeveloped context despite the growing demands for assistive devices by those in later life who need either support in accomplishing everyday life to stay independent or have complex co-occurring conditions. In this chapter, we explore why ATs, especially for older adults, are underdeveloped by exploring issues related to design approaches and cultural and social perceptions that have contributed to making consumers more or less sensitive and demanding towards the role of ATs in their lives. The chapter will conclude with recommendations that may be able to shift the perception of assistive devices so as to facilitate the user’s emotional investment in the devices, attachment to them, which, in return, may lead to better adherence and faster adoption