North Carolina State University, along with Pennsylvania State University, the University of Virginia and Florida International University, are utilizing a five-year $18.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to create the health devices. 

 

The new health monitoring system aims to be a small, non-invasive, wearable concept that is capable of tracking health and environmental stats, including heart rate, respiration rates, ozone exposure, carbon monoxide levels, etc. This could help those ill with chronic diseases better manage their condition and even encourage healthy individuals to keep up good habits. 

 

What will the new devices be made of? nanomaterials and nanostructures, of course. More specifically, thermoelectric materials will be used to collect body heat so it can be self-powered; nanosensors will gather the health information, such as heart rate and biochemical signals like stress levels; piezoelectric materials will be used to convert pressure, acceleration, force or strain into an electrical charge, and it will all be sealed in a tiny wearable package that can act as a patch on the chest, a wristband, etc. The research teams will also look into ways that the device can increase efficiency on very little power. 

 

Once the actual device is developed, it will use low-power radios to transmit the health data from the sensors to devices like computers and smartphones. It aims to help doctors and patients understand how certain aspects of an environment affect their health, and aim to make other health-conscious decisions. 

 

"Currently there are many devices out there that monitor health in different ways," said Dr. Veena Misra, study leader and professor of electrical and computer engineering at NC State. "What's unique about our technologies is the fact that they are powered by the human body, so they don't require battery charging."