Wearable light data logger for studying physiological and psychological effects of light data

A 360-degree imagery-multisensor system for visualizing environmental parameters in architecture and urban spaces

This research has designed a 360-degree imagery-multisensor system aiming to capture and visualize environmental parameters in architecture and urban spaces. Unlike existing tools, this system enables simultaneous recording of both imagery and non-imagery environmental data, including lighting, thermal, air quality, sound, and physical space parameters, within a 360-degree field of view. Lighting conditions are captured using panoramic high dynamic range imagery, complemented by a 360-degree array of sensors measuring illuminance levels and spectral power distribution. Thermal and air quality conditions are recorded using 360-degree thermal imagery, combined with hygrometers and air particle meters. Sound levels are also monitored across the full 360-degree field. The system is built using 3D printing technologies and Raspberry Pi computers, equipped with various sensor modules. Custom Python scripts enable real-time data capture, processing, and visualization. This cost-effective, easy-to-manufacture, programmable, and customizable innovation is aimed at students and educators in design and architecture, as well as building engineers. Furthermore, integrating imagery and sensor data supports the development of immersive virtual and augmented reality applications, offering new opportunities for education and the exploration of effective design solutions.

Wearable Light-and-Motion Dataloggers for Sleep/Wake Research: A Review

Long-term recording of a person’s activity (actimetry or actigraphy) using devices typically worn on the wrist is increasingly applied in sleep/wake, chronobiological, and clinical research to estimate parameters of sleep and sleep-wake cycles. With the recognition of the importance of light in influencing these parameters and with the development of technological capabilities, light sensors have been introduced into devices to correlate physiological and environmental changes. Over the past two decades, many such new devices have appeared from different manufacturers. One of the aims of this review is to help researchers and clinicians choose the data logger that best fits their research goals. Seventeen currently available light-and-motion recorders entered the analysis. They were reviewed for appearance, dimensions, weight, mounting, battery, sensors, features, communication interface, and software. We found that all devices differed from each other in several features. In particular, six devices are equipped with a light sensor that can measure blue light. It is noteworthy that blue light most profoundly influences the physiology and behavior of mammals. As the wearables market is growing rapidly, this review helps guide future developments and needs to be updated every few years.

The Current State of Optical Sensors in Medical Wearables

Optical sensors play an increasingly important role in the development of medical diagnostic devices. They can be very widely used to measure the physiology of the human body. Optical methods include PPG, radiation, biochemical, and optical fiber sensors. Optical sensors offer excellent metrological properties, immunity to electromagnetic interference, electrical safety, simple miniaturization, the ability to capture volumes of nanometers, and non-invasive examination. In addition, they are cheap and resistant to water and corrosion. The use of optical sensors can bring better methods of continuous diagnostics in the comfort of the home and the development of telemedicine in the 21st century. This article offers a large overview of optical wearable methods and their modern use with an insight into the future years of technology in this field.

Silver Conductive Threads-Based Embroidered Electrodes on Textiles as Moisture Sensors for Fluid Detection in Biomedical Applications

Wearable sensors have become part of our daily life for health monitoring. The detection of moisture content is critical for many applications. In the present research, textile-based embroidered sensors were developed that can be integrated with a bandage for wound management purposes. The sensor comprised an interdigitated electrode embroidered on a cotton substrate with silver-tech 150 and HC 12 threads, respectively, that have silver coated continuous filaments and 100% polyamide with silver-plated yarn. The said sensor is a capacitive sensor with some leakage. The change in the dielectric constant of the substrate as a result of moisture affects the value of capacitance and, thus, the admittance of the sensor. The moisture sensor's operation is verified by measuring its admittance at 1 MHz and the change in moisture level (1-50) µL. It is observed that the sensitivity of both sensors is comparable. The identically fabricated sensors show similar response and sensitivity while wash test shows the stability of sensor after washing. The developed sensor is also able to detect the moisture caused by both artificial sweat and blood serum, which will be of value in developing new sensors tomorrow for smart wound-dressing applications.

Wearable Devices for Environmental Monitoring in the Built Environment: A Systematic Review

The so-called Internet of Things (IoT), which is rapidly increasing the number of network-connected and interconnected objects, could have a far-reaching impact in identifying the link between human health, well-being, and environmental concerns. In line with the IoT concept, many commercial wearables have been introduced in recent years, which differ from the usual devices in that they use the term "smart" alongside the terms "watches", "glasses", and "jewellery". Commercially available wearables aim to enhance smartphone functionality by enabling payment for commercial items or monitoring physical activity. However, what is the trend of scientific production about the concept of wearables regarding environmental monitoring issues? What are the main areas of interest covered by scientific production? What are the main findings and limitations of the developed solution in this field? The methodology used to answer the above questions is based on a systematic review. The data were acquired following a reproducible methodology. The main result is that, among the thermal, visual, acoustic, and air quality environmental factors, the last one is the most considered when using wearables even though in combination with some others. Another relevant finding is that of the acquired studies; in only one, the authors shared their wearables as an open-source device, and it will probably be necessary to encourage researchers to consider open-source as a means to promote scalability and proliferation of new wearables customized to cover different domains.