Register now After registration you will be able to apply for this opportunity online.
This opportunity is not published. No applications will be accepted.
Development of a smart sock for plantar pressure monitoring
The goal of the project is to develop and test a smart sock prototype for plantar pressure measurements. The smart sock contains textile based pressure sensors and a readout module. This technology can be used for plantar pressure monitoring in diverse wearable applications ranging from healthcare to sports.
Wearable technology is increasingly popular in mobile health thanks to its unobtrusiveness and the possibility to continuously monitor physiological parameters. Monitoring plantar pressure is relevant both in rehabilitation and prevention (e.g., prevention of foot ulceration in diabetic subjects) and fitness applications (e.g., gait analysis). The use of textile-based sensors would be highly desirable in order to obtain soft and seamlessly integrated sensors that are embedded in common pieces of clothing (i.e., socks).
In this project, previously developed sensor designs (or slightly optimized versions thereof) are to be integrated in a matrix to be placed on the plantar side of the foot in a sock. The collected signals need to be extracted in a convenient manner, by minimizing and optimizing the connections and using portable and lightweight electronics). The complete smart sock prototype can be tested in daily activities to evaluate its capability to monitor plantar pressure.
This project offers the opportunity to work in the attractive and challenging field of smart textiles with a hands-on and multidisciplinary approach; the end goal is to design sensors that can be fully integrated into a smart garment.
Wearable technology is increasingly popular in mobile health thanks to its unobtrusiveness and the possibility to continuously monitor physiological parameters. Monitoring plantar pressure is relevant both in rehabilitation and prevention (e.g., prevention of foot ulceration in diabetic subjects) and fitness applications (e.g., gait analysis). The use of textile-based sensors would be highly desirable in order to obtain soft and seamlessly integrated sensors that are embedded in common pieces of clothing (i.e., socks). In this project, previously developed sensor designs (or slightly optimized versions thereof) are to be integrated in a matrix to be placed on the plantar side of the foot in a sock. The collected signals need to be extracted in a convenient manner, by minimizing and optimizing the connections and using portable and lightweight electronics). The complete smart sock prototype can be tested in daily activities to evaluate its capability to monitor plantar pressure. This project offers the opportunity to work in the attractive and challenging field of smart textiles with a hands-on and multidisciplinary approach; the end goal is to design sensors that can be fully integrated into a smart garment.
Goals
• Integrate existing textile pressure sensors in a matrix and connect them to electronics readout to form a smart sock
• Produce and test a prototype smart sock to measure plantar pressure
• Write a scientific project report
Tasks
• Literature review (10%)
• Sensor design optimization (10%)
• Sensor integration in sock prototype (40%)
• Sock prototype testing (20%)
• Data analysis, reporting and presentation (20%)
Your Profile
• Background in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical engineering, Electronics Engineering, Medical Technology or related fields
• Independent worker with critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Goals • Integrate existing textile pressure sensors in a matrix and connect them to electronics readout to form a smart sock • Produce and test a prototype smart sock to measure plantar pressure • Write a scientific project report Tasks • Literature review (10%) • Sensor design optimization (10%) • Sensor integration in sock prototype (40%) • Sock prototype testing (20%) • Data analysis, reporting and presentation (20%) Your Profile • Background in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical engineering, Electronics Engineering, Medical Technology or related fields • Independent worker with critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Prof Dr Carlo Menon and PhD student Valeria Galli will supervise the student and the research will be performed at ETH Zurich’s Biomedical and Mobile Health Technology research group (www.bmht.ethz.ch) in the Balgrist Campus in Zurich, Switzerland. To apply, use the button below to tell us why you want to do this project ("motivation"); attach a short CV, your grades (transcript) and any other info you deem relevant.
Prof Dr Carlo Menon and PhD student Valeria Galli will supervise the student and the research will be performed at ETH Zurich’s Biomedical and Mobile Health Technology research group (www.bmht.ethz.ch) in the Balgrist Campus in Zurich, Switzerland. To apply, use the button below to tell us why you want to do this project ("motivation"); attach a short CV, your grades (transcript) and any other info you deem relevant.
