Summer has started and so has the exploration on wearable devices through NC State University’s ASSIST Center. From this experience, I hope to gain updated knowledge about industry applications of technology and engineering which can be used in the development of new and exciting curriculum. In addition, I hope to establish new connections to fellow teachers as well as community businesses. I can honestly say, from the first week, I am on an excellent pathway for achieving those goals. The Center for Advanced Self-Powered Systems of Integrated Sensors and Technologies focuses on developing wearable devices that incorporates nanotechnology and other advancing technologies to monitor the health of both humans and animals. As we learn from day one of the program, the ASSIST Center is researching not just wearable health monitor systems but is setting the foundation for self-powered systems that use either kinetic energy or thermo-coupling devices to produce energy for these health monitoring systems. As we progressed through the introduction, we learn these health monitoring systems could monitor a range of health factors including (but not limited to) glucose levels, cardio information, respiratory information, and hydration levels.
Before we begin developing our curriculum, it is important to learn a few basics. Dr. Jur provides each member of the group a LilyPad Arduino Kit. This kit provides a healthy overview of wearable devices in an easy-to-understand approach for inexperienced individuals. The kit includes basic sensors such as a temperature sensor and ambient light sensor. The kits also includes buzzers, speaker, and LEDs which act as communication devices. The LilyPad Arduino kit can be sewn onto clothing or other fabrics which enable it to be a wearable device. It can be programmed to do a number of things. A few ideas that come to mind is measuring temperatures or amount of light experienced by the body.
In addition to the LilyPad arduino, Dr. Jur also provides the group with a TI SensorTag. This piece of equipment, developed by Texas Instrument, is a low cost method of exploring the world of sensors. The device has numerous sensors including an Ambient Temperature sensor, IR Temperature sensor, Ambient Light Sensor, Humidity sensor, Pressure sensor, Motion sensor, and magnetic sensor, The company has plans on expanding the capabilities. This piece of equipment is great because it comes ready to use, has no programming experience required, and uses both Android and Apple Smart devices. We spent a day exploring the capabilities of the device and how it can be incorporated into lessons. Teachers came up with ways to use it to measure weather patterns, material properties, and even biology of plants.
From week 1 of the program, we not only receive a great experience with up-and-coming technologies, but also an opportunities to explore cutting edge research occurring at NCSU. We toured the new Jim Hunt Library on NC State’s campus. It incorporates non-traditonal education setting that include open learning spaces, high-tech group study rooms, bright colors, robotic book stacks, and even technologies that can be checked out by students (such as 3D printers, Thermal Cameras, and more). The library brings in sustainable energy practices through the use of green roofs, recycled materials, and energy efficient lighting. In addition to the Jim Hunt Library, we also go to tour the Analytical Instrumentation Facility in the College of Textiles. There we saw instruments that allow researchers to manipulate materials on the nano-scale. We were able to learn about how they use an Ion Spectrometer to evaluate material characterization. They were even able to show the group a comlumn of atoms. With this information, they can study new materials, manipulate materials in way never before seen, and learn more about how our scientific world behaves on a nano-scale.
Material Characterization – Looking at the penny on the nano-scale. Notice the crack. This is the separation between Copper and Zinc
Material Characterization -Looking at a penny on the nano-scale
FEI Titan G2 aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscope (AC-STEM)
To end the week, we toured a clean lab at the NCSU Nanofabrication Facility where they develop silicon plates using a lithography process to be used in a wide array of electronic devices. They detailed to us the importance of being able to pack more information into a smaller area and how that affects technologies we use. We were even able to venture off-campus to the Research Triangle area where we explored companies that specialize in using sensor technology. The companies were Porticos and DeviceSolutions. Both of these companies build a range of consumer electronics that incorporate sensors, new materials, and other evolving products. Some of their work includes a device that automatically or remotely releases pill medication for elderly, a vest to keep emergency workers or soldiers cool, smart phones for hearing and vision impaired individuals, a sensor to detect when a dumpster is full, and even a bracelet that will vibrate on students’ wrists to keep them alert during lessons.
Researchers working with Liquid Nitrogen at the NCSU Nanofabrication Facility Clean Room
Machine at the NCSU Nanofabrication Facility Clean Room
Top of shelf – Designed cooling system “sock” for individuals missing a lower leg.
Bottom – Prosthetic limb that would go over “sock”
From just the first week we gained an abundance of information about up-and-coming technologies, cutting edge research, and current industrial practices. All of this can be incorporated into lessons to not only prepare students for the workplace, but to also open students’ eyes of the possible career pathways they can pursue.