Developing new tactile sensations for aids used by blind individuals
Creating New Tactile Sensations for Tactile Aids with Designer Materials
This study is working on making touch-based tools better for blind people by using new materials that create different feelings, so they can understand complex ideas more easily.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Delaware NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11020970 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing tactile aids for blind individuals by creating new tactile sensations using innovative materials. Traditional tactile aids often struggle to convey complex information due to limitations in their design, leading to confusion for users. By employing designer materials that can create varied and dense tactile sensations, this project aims to improve the accessibility of abstract concepts through touch. The approach involves 3D printing techniques to develop these advanced tactile aids, making them more effective for conveying information.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are blind individuals or those with diminished vision who rely on tactile aids for information.
Not a fit: Patients who do not use tactile aids or have no visual impairment may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the ability of blind individuals to understand complex information through enhanced tactile aids.
How similar studies have performed: While there has been some research on tactile aids, this approach using designer materials and advanced tactile sensations is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- University of Delaware — Newark, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dhong, Charles B. — University of Delaware
- Study coordinator: Dhong, Charles B.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.