My research has the potential to revolutionise rehabilitation monitoring on a large scale. With over 1 billion people or roughly one in six people living with disabilities, there is a significant demand for accessible healthcare.*
The increased use of remote healthcare presents a promising solution by enabling patient monitoring at home. My work aims to improve remote monitoring techniques, making rehabilitation more accessible and effective for people around the world.
Existing sensors can be rigid, expensive, battery-dependent and require specialised expertise and labs. Through my research I aim to develop reliable and precise sensors to remotely monitor patients' health and vital signs. These sensors must be comfortable, unobtrusive and capable of operating for long periods without needing recharging.
To achieve this, I am developing special threads that interact with our skin and other threads to generate significant static charges. When integrated into clothing or shoes, these charged threads move with our movements, producing electrical signals that correspond to our actions. Therefore, my research focuses on developing clothing-based sensors that are battery-free, conform to the body’s contours and are virtually unnoticeable to the wearer. These sensors can monitor motion and vital signs while patients remain comfortable at home, wirelessly transmitting data to doctors for remote monitoring. Unlike conventional sensors, these sensors do not require batteries. They continuously generate signals as long as there is movement.
This technology holds great potential for motion and health sensing, offering a sustainable and innovative approach to monitoring our bodies. It could significantly expand healthcare access both in the UK and internationally. By providing a cost-effective and innovative solution, this technology has the capacity to extend healthcare reach, improving the quality of life for countless individuals. With its ability to monitor health remotely and efficiently, it can help bridge gaps in healthcare access, particularly for those with limited resources.