Wearable sensor to track e-cigarette use in real time

Measuring E-cigarette Use in Real Time via Wearable Sensor

['FUNDING_R21'] · STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO · NIH-11248430

This project uses a small wearable sensor plus phone data and AI to track when and how young people use e-cigarettes.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R21']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorSTATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO (nih funded)
Locations1 site (AMHERST, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11248430 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

You would wear a small sensor (like a wrist device) and use a phone app while researchers collect movement and phone-based data. Machine learning models will look for patterns—such as hand-to-mouth motions and puff signatures—that match e-cigarette use. The team aims to capture how often and how intensely people vape in everyday life instead of relying only on memory-based surveys. Results will help researchers understand real-world vaping behavior among young people and improve future prevention and quitting programs.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are young people who currently use e-cigarettes (for example ages 18–25) and are willing to wear a small sensor and use a smartphone app.

Not a fit: People who do not use e-cigarettes, cannot or will not wear sensors, or do not have a compatible smartphone are unlikely to benefit from participating.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could give a much clearer picture of vaping habits so better prevention and cessation tools can be designed for young people.

How similar studies have performed: Some prior studies have used wearables and machine learning to detect cigarette smoking, but applying these methods specifically to e-cigarette use in young people is relatively new and less tested.

Where this research is happening

AMHERST, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.