Next Generation Wearable Electronics for Healthcare

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In recent years, there has been an eruption in the popularity of wearable electronic devices. Most of the commercially available devices perform the simple task of counting the user's steps, with some also recording heart rates, while invoking social media to motivate users to improve their mobility habits. These wearables have achieved reasonable success, however, to date they have mainly been geared toward fitness training, and their potential to deliver improved functionality in a wider variety of applications remains largely unrealized. ***In particular, there is a clear potential for wearables in health care applications. Reliable, and functional devices, equipped with accurate sensing mechanisms, could enable remote health monitoring to support prevention, early diagnosis, disease management, and home rehabilitation. This would lead to a significant reduction in healthcare costs by reducing unnecessary hospitalizations, and ensuring timely service for those in need of urgent care. ***The main objectives of this research program are: to develop wearable devices capable of monitoring multiple health vitals for illness prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment; and to develop wireless-enabled wearable robotic devices for motion assistance and rehabilitation. ***One possible route to the next generation of these devices is through the utilization of electromagnetic waves as a primary or auxiliary means of sensing relevant biomedical metrics of the human body, such as heart rate, blood pressure, glucose level, musculoskeletal deviations, and signatures of various forms of cancer. Other approaches to be explored through this program are 3D inkjet printing solutions for producing low-cost wearable sensors, circuits, and antennas; the application of adaptive and tunable wireless systems with biometric sensing functionalities; and investigation of energy harvesting and wireless power transfer schemes through utilizing multi-functional wearable antennas. ***Critical infrastructure and research tools relevant to this program are available at the University of Waterloo, with a unique opportunity to exploit multidisciplinary collaborations through the recently established Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging. These advantages, along with the applicant's vast wireless design skill-set and distinguished record as a highly innovative scholar, place him in the perfect position to lead the proposed research program. HQP will greatly benefit from the specialized equipment and training made available to them, which will help them meet future market needs. This program is poised to have a significant impact on the field of wearables, enhancing Canada's position as a leading nation in the emerging areas of Big Data and the Internet of Things, and ultimately improving the quality of our Canadian healthcare system. ********