Developing wearable sensors to monitor health effects of heat exposure
Sensor Hardware and Intelligent Tools for Assessing the Health Effects of Heat Exposure
This study is working on a special wearable patch that helps farmers and agricultural workers stay safe in the heat by tracking their body signals like temperature and hydration, so they can get alerts if they're at risk of heat-related illnesses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10887489 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating advanced wearable technology to monitor the health impacts of heat exposure, particularly for agricultural workers who are frequently in hot environments. The project aims to develop a soft, nanomembrane-based biopatch that can track vital physiological signals such as skin temperature, hydration, heart rate, and more in real-time. By integrating data from multiple sensors using machine learning algorithms, the goal is to predict and alert users to potential heat-related illnesses before they become severe. This innovative approach seeks to enhance the safety and health of workers exposed to extreme heat conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are agricultural workers who are regularly exposed to high temperatures and humidity in their work environment.
Not a fit: Patients who work in cooler environments or those not exposed to heat stress may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of heat-related illnesses among vulnerable populations by providing timely alerts and monitoring.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using wearable technology for health monitoring, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hertzberg, Vicki Stover — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Hertzberg, Vicki Stover
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.