Smart Textile Impact Sensor for e-Helmet to Measure Head Injury

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Sports Technology

Background:

• Concussions from mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) are a significant public health issue, particularly in sports like American football.
• Current methods for measuring head impacts in sports are limited, especially regarding smart-textile-based sensors.
• There is a need for effective, integrated sensors to monitor head impacts and aid in concussion prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and construct a novel smart textile impact sensor (STIS) for measuring head impact forces.
• To validate the functionality and performance of the STIS under various high-magnitude impact conditions.
• To explore the potential of STIS in the development of advanced protective gear, such as e-helmets.

Main Methods:

• Designed a 2x2 STIS matrix utilizing a semiconducting polymer composite (SPC) sensing surface, with modifications to SPC dimensions for enhanced performance.
• Integrated the STIS with a microcontroller and biasing circuit for data acquisition.
• Constructed a pendulum test setup to apply controlled impact forces (180-722 N) and evaluated sensor response using high-speed cameras and motion analysis software.

Main Results:

• The STIS demonstrated satisfactory performance within a specific impact force range, with improved behavior noted through adjustments in SPC thickness.
• Data analysis identified threshold impact forces within the sensor's linear range and assessed sensitivity via linear regression.
• While the sensor did not provide accurate linear responses for impacts exceeding its threshold, it effectively indicated impact distribution across the sensor area.

Conclusions:

• The developed STIS shows promise for integration into e-helmets to monitor head impacts, potentially aiding in concussion detection and prevention.
• Optimizing sensor structure and material properties is crucial for enhancing range, linearity, and performance in high-impact scenarios.
• Further research is encouraged to refine the STIS for accurate measurement across the full spectrum of concussion-causing impact forces.