Wearable technology for the next generation of sports performance and health monitoring
Lead Research Organisation:
Queen Mary University of London
Department Name: School of Engineering & Materials Scienc
Abstract
There are currently no real-time, non-invasive devices to monitor hydration levels for sports and healthcare applications. NPL and QMUL have been exploring technology for a microwave hydration monitor and the PhD student will develop a SMART device that has the potential to monitor real-time hydration changes in the sports arena. The scientific benefits will be a device which can actively monitor a person's hydration in a localised region of the body, and how body perfusion interacts. The technology will lead to a better understanding of a person's health but also how the body operates in hyper to dehydration scenarios, both of which have significant detrimental effects on the person's health and well-being. In the sporting community, performance benefits of a hydration monitor will be explored with existing collaborations at St Mary's University. The student will develop the next generation of prototype devices using electronics, design and microwave propagation skills. The current prototype utilises an ear lobe attachment which needs to accommodate a microwave antenna and wireless circuitry while remaining in stable contact during low intensity and moderate exercise. Existing and developed prototypes will be evaluated using biomaterials for frequency-dependent microwave absorption measurements and ethically approved measurements in sports people. The resulting prototype will benefit the sports and healthcare industries enormously through development of IP and patents. Indeed, the SMART wearable technology has the potential to attract further financial investment with an estimated £32 million modestly predicted potential sales market.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Tina Chowdhury (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Wesleigh Dawsmith (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N50953X/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1789293 | Studentship | EP/N50953X/1 | 07/10/2016 | 06/04/2020 | Wesleigh Dawsmith |
| Description | We brought together a range of research, to show that when measuring blood hydration using permittivity, the key variables which affect the data are %HCT, protein concentration and electrolyte concentration, all of which increase during dehydration. Using a bovine model, we developed a method to determine whether broadband microwave permittivity measurements (0.5-20 GHz) could be used to measure blood hydration by analysing the effect changing key blood components (RBCs, albumin and NaCl) had on the permittivity of osmotic water. We determined that microwave permittivity measurements could be used to measure bovine hydration, and that the method developed could be applied to other species. |
| Exploitation Route | Using our research, others will now have confidence to further examine the use of broadband microwave permittivity measurements to measure hydration. Further, based on our publication (waiting publication), there is reason to believe that this technology has the potential to form a new way to accurately measure hydration in both the clinical setting, and in the consumer market. |
| Sectors | Healthcare,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |