Human Factors and Ergonomics

Comfort

Stories

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Briefs: Materials
A silicone membrane for wearable devices is more comfortable and breathable thanks to better-sized pores made with the help of citric acid crystals. The new preparation technique fabricates thin, silicone-based patches that rapidly wick water away from the skin. The technique could reduce the redness and itching caused by wearable biosensors that trap sweat beneath them. Read on to learn more.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
A new groundbreaking “smart glove” is capable of tracking the hand and finger movements of stroke victims during rehabilitation exercises. The glove incorporates a sophisticated network of highly sensitive sensor yarns and pressure sensors that are woven into a comfortable stretchy fabric. Read on to learn more about the smart glove.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
A research team created a noninvasive electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor that was installed in a Meta VR headset that can be worn comfortably for long periods. The EEG measures the brain’s electrical activity during the immersive VR interactions. Read on to learn more.
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Briefs: Wearables
Eva Baur, a Ph.D. student, used 3D-printed double network granular elastomers (DNGEs) to print a prototype ‘finger,’ complete with rigid ‘bones’ surrounded by flexible ‘flesh.’ The finger was printed to deform in a pre-defined way, demonstrating the technology’s potential to manufacture devices that are sufficiently supple to bend and stretch, while remaining firm enough to manipulate objects. Read on to learn more.
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Application Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
The next generation of sensors needs to maintain efficiency and cost-effectiveness while ensuring fast, accurate, and reliable communication.
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Articles: Manned Systems
One of the most demanding needs for dexterous and sustained subtle control inputs during EVA could be the operation of drones as robotic assistants. The Astronaut Smart Glove amplifies the effects of subtle finger, hand, and wrist gestures while wearing existing rigid pressurized spacesuit gloves.
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Application Briefs: Automotive
Thorough vehicle dynamics tests provide the data that will inform the final setup of the chassis and the characteristics of the control systems.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
A novel 3D printed prosthetic arm is more comfortable, flexible, and cheaper than a conventional prosthesis.
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Briefs: Data Acquisition
The flexible, stretchable sensor biodegrades into materials that are absorbed by the body.
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Briefs: Motion Control
This testing method ensures that an exoskeleton and the person wearing it are moving smoothly and in harmony.
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Briefs: Wearables
A patch of needles connected to a paper sensor diagnoses conditions such as prediabetes.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Sensors need to be flexible, stretchable, biodegradable, safe, and stable for use in the body.
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Briefs: Imaging
The system turns faces into thermostats, providing more comfort with less energy.
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Articles: Motion Control
Smart electric actuators not only enable fine position adjustments, but they also provide real-time feedback on the extent of those adjustments.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
The material was designed specifically for biomedical or wearable technologies, since sweat and volatile organic compounds evaporate away from the skin.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
This device could enable rapid, inexpensive liquid biopsies to help detect cancer and develop targeted treatment plans.
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Articles: Manufacturing & Prototyping
“Cobots” allow companies of almost any size to automate processes that were previously out of reach.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Heat-Regulating Material for Next-Generation Space Blanket
Squid skin inspires a new material with heat-regulating properties.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
For the millions of people every year who have or need medical devices implanted, an advancement in 3D printing technology could enable significantly quicker implantation...
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Flexible, Transparent, Wearable Bio-Patch
Silicon nanoneedle patches are currently placed between skin, muscles, or tissues where they deliver exact doses of biomolecules. Commercially available silicon nanoneedle patches are usually constructed on a rigid and opaque silicon wafer. The rigidity can cause discomfort and cannot be left in the body...
Application Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
For wheelchair users, the feeling of uneven ground can seem all too familiar. Determined to make ride discomfort a thing of the past, Israel-based SoftWheel has completely reinvented the wheel for a...
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Briefs: Motion Control
For patients missing a hand, one of the biggest challenges to regaining a high level of function is the inability to rotate one's wrist (pronate and supinate). These are essential movements...
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Interest in wearable electronics for continuous, long-term health and performance monitoring is rapidly increasing. The reduction in power levels consumed by sensors and electronic...
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Occupancy Sensing Using Wi-Fi Routers
In 2015, commercial and residential buildings accounted for 40% of the energy consumption in the United States according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. As the owners of these buildings seek to decrease costs and reduce energy consumption they have begun to adopt building energy management...
NASA Spinoff: Materials
Spinoff is NASA's annual publication featuring successfully commercialized NASA technology. This commercialization has contributed to the development of products and services in the fields...
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Briefs: Test & Measurement
During instrument flight training, the pilot must have his/her view through the aircraft windscreen restricted to simulate low-visibility conditions while permitting the pilot to view the...
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Briefs: Medical
Drug-Encapsulated Prosthetic Enhancement
This invention places a drug delivery system inside a prosthetic implant to circumvent the physical issues encountered after fitting the implant. Implants being relatively large in size would be able to house the drug-carrying device inside them without compromising the structural integrity or the...
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Saliva is an easily accessible body fluid containing important biological markers of physiological regulation in the body. The ability to use saliva to monitor the health and...
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Articles: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Michael Zach, Anirudha Sumant, and Jonathan Moritz EChem Nanowires Stevens Point, WI NanoFab Lab … In a Box!™ is a shoebox-sized kit that allows high school students to...
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