PFI-TT: Proof of concept of a wearable device to monitor safe sun exposure

这一创新伙伴关系-技术转化项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是提高人们对与过度暴露于阳光紫外线辐射有关的风险的认识，并提供一些解决办法，从而对人类健康产生负面影响。该技术将开发出一种可穿戴传感器，可以检测高强度的阳光照射，从而使用户能够享受户外活动。通过采取预防措施，受黑色素瘤或与过度暴露于紫外线辐射有关的其他疾病影响的人数预计将减少，从而减轻保健方面的经济负担。这项研究将应用于医学以外的其他行业，如体育和化妆品。该项目将为教师和学生提供一种将他们的创新技术转化为市场的手段。其他影响是在科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）领域培养了一支知识渊博、富有创造力的劳动力队伍。项目负责人和研究生将获得的体验式学习和创业培训将加深对创新、技术商业化和创业精神的理解。这将为与小型企业/行业合作创造机会，并有可能启动新的创业项目。拟议中的项目将开发一种可穿戴设备的原型，该设备将使用户能够在暴露在阳光下时监测紫外线辐射的暴露情况，并提供预防信息。据估计，五分之一的美国人会在一生中的某个时候患上皮肤癌，而90%最广泛诊断的皮肤癌是由于过度暴露在阳光下造成的。市场上缺乏可以监测紫外线暴露并提醒人们在度假或享受户外活动时采取防护措施的设备，这是显而易见的。所提出的技术的智力价值是创造一种可穿戴设备，使用独特的铁电材料作为响应UVA和UVB辐射的传感器。研究目标包括开发一种基于薄膜的紫外线传感器，测试传感器并与其他组件集成以创建可穿戴设备，创建和实施软件，允许用户输入个人个性化数据并通知风险和保护信息。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Partnership for Innovation - Technology Translation (PFI-TT) project is to create awareness about and provide some solutions to the risks associated with overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiations from sunlight that lead to a negative impact on human health. The technology developed will enable users to enjoy outdoor activities by developing a wearable sensor that detects high levels of exposure to sunlight. By taking preventive measures, the number of people affected by melanoma or other diseases related to over exposure of UV radiation is expected to decrease, thus reducing the financial burden faced with health care. The research will have applications beyond medicine to other industries, such as athletics and cosmetics. The project will provide a means for faculty and students to transition their innovative technologies into the marketplace. Additional impacts are creation of a knowledgeable and creative workforce in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The experiential learning and entrepreneurial training that the PI and graduate students will gain will lead to an enhanced understanding of innovation, technology commercialization, and entrepreneurship. This will create opportunities for collaborating with small businesses/industry with the potential of launching a new startup. The proposed project will develop a prototype of a wearable device which will enable users to monitor exposure to UV radiation when exposed to sunlight and provide prevention messages. It is estimated that one in five Americans will have skin cancer at some point in their life and 90% of the most widely diagnosed skin cancers are from excessive exposure to sunlight. The lack of available gadgets in the market that can keep an eye on UV exposure and remind a person to use protection while vacationing or enjoying outdoor activities is clear. The intellectual merit of the proposed technology is creating a wearable device using a unique ferroelectric material as a sensor that responds to UVA and UVB radiations. The research objectives include developing a thin film-based UV sensor, testing the sensor and integration with other components to create a wearable device, creating and implementing software to allow users to input personal individualized data and notify the risk and protection messages.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.