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can transmit data collected to a mobile phone via Bluetooth. Image: Nottingham Trent University
Scientists at Nottingham Trent University have developed a smart vest that monitors the wearer’s body temperature and detects risks of hypothermia.
The vest was developed primarily for older people, who lose body heat more quickly and may have impaired temperature regulation due to chronic conditions or medications.
“By combining electronic textiles with an everyday garment such as a vest, carers and medical professionals would be able to respond immediately to any detected risk and help save the lives of older people who may need urgent support,” says Theo Hughes-Riley, Ph.D., an associate professor in electronic textiles at Nottingham and research lead of the university’s Advanced Textiles Research Group.
Four miniature thermistors embedded in the yarn of the vest detect changes in the wearer’s body temperature, with two located on the chest and two on the scapula. The thermistors are enclosed in resin and covered in a polyester braid, making the vest washable.
The thermistors are connected to a microcontroller via Bluetooth, which transmits data in real time to a mobile phone or other device. This data can be seen by family members, health care workers and caregivers.
The researchers tested the prototype to ensure the technology remained accurate during everyday movements such as sitting, walking, jumping and reaching. The data collected revealed patterns of change, which could help identify warning signs of hypothermia or other health conditions before they occur.