Thermoelectric Power System for Body Worn Sensors

Recently, the power density of thermoelectric thin film devices has increased by a factor of 15. In the same period, the power needed for wearable physiologic sensors, associated data acquisition and wireless transmission systems has rapidly decreased. We have suddenly reached the point that a variety of wearable soldier health and injury monitoring systems can be powered by the body heat of the person being monitored. In this program, Quantum Applied Science and Research (QUASAR) Inc., a leading innovator in wearable electrophysiologic measurement systems for heart, brain and muscle function, will team with the Research Triangle Institute, the developer of the new thermoelectric materials. We will develop the first truly noninvasive wearable monitoring system, one that needs no action or maintenance by the user, other than to put it on. The system will have immediate application to the soldier ballistic impact detection system being built by QUASAR for the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, and for cardiac, respiration, body temperature, hydration, and brain monitoring systems being developed by QUASAR and others. In addition, significant opportunities exist in long-term medical monitoring and sports equipment markets, and will be addressed in part via QUASAR's partnerships with Advanced Neurometrics and Adidas.