PFI:AIR - TT: Smart Helmet Impact Sensing System

该PFI：AIR技术转化项目的重点是将印刷和柔性压力传感器的研究发现转化为智能头盔冲击传感系统，以满足监测与运动相关的创伤性脑损伤的需求。智能头盔撞击感测系统非常重要，因为它将提供可靠检测头部创伤所需的信息，以及用于改善性能和训练措施的数据，这些措施可以减少头部、脊柱和颈部创伤。该项目将开发一个功能齐全的智能头盔冲击传感系统原型，该系统将能够监测运动员在现场头部受到冲击的强度和位置。这种智能头盔冲击感测系统具有物理灵活、重量轻和舒适的独特特征。这些特征提供了能够将系统无缝地集成到覆盖整个头盔内部的现有头盔中的优点，从而能够实现市场上没有其他系统提供的颅骨周围的头部创伤的“撞击点映射”。这些特点使冲击传感技术与该市场领域的竞争对手相比脱颖而出，这些竞争对手通常使用传统的硅基制造工艺，导致系统不灵活，非保形，体积庞大且相对昂贵。该项目解决了以下技术差距，因为它从研究发现转化为商业应用：（a）开发一个头盔内传感器阵列，用于表征冲击力，以及一个集成和小型化的电子读出电路，使其能够安装在头盔内;（B）开发一个通信系统，可以无线发送和存储冲击数据;（d）证明该系统符合弗吉尼亚理工大学的星星评级标准;以及（e）了解当前加速计方法与撞击单独方法以及撞击-加速计组合方法的综合效果。此外，参与该项目的人员，一名博士后研究员和一名研究生，将通过以下方式获得技术和创业翻译经验：（a）参与系统开发项目活动，（B）与西密歇根大学研究副总裁办公室（OVPR）办公室就披露和专利进行互动，（c）为参加商业演讲比赛开发演讲平台，（d）为智能头盔撞击感测系统的商业化制定业务计划，（e）参与制定后续赠款提案，（f）与研究学者、商业专业人员、客户和企业家就许可证发放、技术转让和商业化活动进一步互动。

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating the research discovery of a printed and flexible pressure sensor into a smart helmet impact sensing system to fill the need for monitoring sports related traumatic brain injuries. The smart helmet impact sensing system is important because it will provide information needed to reliably detect head trauma and data for improved performance and training measures which can reduce head, spinal and neck trauma. The project will result in the development of a fully functional prototype of the smart helmet impact sensing system which will be able to monitor the intensity and location of head impacts sustained by athletes in the field. This smart helmet impact sensing system has unique features of being physically flexible, light weight and conformable. These features provide the advantage of being able to seamlessly integrate the system into existing helmets covering the entire helmet interior, thus enabling "point-of-impact mapping" of head trauma around the skull that no other system in the market provides. These features differentiate the impact sensing technology when compared to its competitors in this market space, who typically use traditional silicon based manufacturing processes that result in systems that are not flexible, non-conformal, bulky and relatively expensive.This project addresses the following technology gap(s) as it translates from research discovery toward commercial application: (a) developing an in-helmet sensor array for the characterization of impact forces as well as an integrated and miniaturized electronic readout circuit to enable it to fit within a helmet; (b) developing a communication system that can wirelessly send and store impact data; (c) confirming by field testing that the system is mechanically and operationally robust; (d) demonstrating that the system conforms to the Virginia Tech STAR Ratings standards; and (e) understanding the combined effects of the current accelerometer approach to that of impact alone as well as impact-accelerometer combinations.In addition, personnel involved in this project, a post-doctoral fellow and a graduate student, will receive technology and entrepreneurship translation experiences through: (a) participation in the system development project activities, (b) interactions with the Office of the Vice President of Research (OVPR) office at Western Michigan University for disclosures and patents, (c) developing pitch decks for participating in business pitch competitions, (d) developing a business plan for the commercialization of the smart helmet impact sensing system, (e) participation in developing follow-up grant proposals, and (f) further interactions with research scholars, business professionals, customers and entrepreneurs for licensing, technology transfer and commercialization activities.