Roxana Chicas designs wearable patch for early detection of heat exposure
Scientist Roxana Chicas has collaborated with the Georgia Institute of Technology to create a wearable biopatch for outdoor workers to monitor and protect their health.
The all-in-one wearable patch tracks vital signs like temperature and heart rate when worn on the chest, with AI detecting early warning signs of overheating.
"We wanted to create something easy to wear, comfortable, and unobtrusive, something workers could forget they even had on, while still being able to monitor multiple signals simultaneously," Chicas told Dezeen.
Named SENSE Biopatch, the device uses sensors to monitor multiple physiological signs at once, including skin temperature, hydration, heart rate, variability, physical activity and blood oxygen levels.
"By integrating these data streams, the biopatch provides a comprehensive view of how heat exposure affects the body," Chicas explained.
"Our goal is that AI algorithms will then analyse the signals in real time to identify patterns and predict potential adverse health events, enabling real-time alerts and interventions."
Chicas, who migrated from El Salvador to the US at age four and is a trained nurse, designed the device after growing up hearing stories of the "back-breaking work" her father and others did in construction and landscaping.
"I often found myself interpreting for workers who had been injured," she described. "Being bilingual and bicultural allowed me to bridge these worlds, but I realised it wasn't enough."
"I needed a deeper understanding – about medical conditions, treatment plans, and how to advocate more effectively for these hardworking individuals," she continued.
"That drive led me to pursue an associate's degree in nursing, and ultimately a PhD, equipping me with the knowledge and tools to support a population I know so personally."
To refine the patch's shape and functionality, Chicas and her team conducted a study with 178 farmworkers.
This followed two smaller pilot studies that tested adhesives capable of staying in place despite heavy sweating.
"Their input directly inspired us to design a single, comfortable, all-in-one wearable patch that could monitor multiple signals while minimising disruption, keeping workers engaged and empowered to participate in research."
Other health products recently featured on Dezeen include a bioplastic electric toothbrush and a handheld device designed to provide comfort after pregnancy loss.
The photography is courtesy of Roxana Chicas.
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