Thursday, November 19
9:00 am - 10:30 am
Diaper Wetness Detection Using Low-cost Hydrogel-Based RFID Tags
Embedding low-cost, wearable sensors in disposable diapers provides an opportunity for the automated monitoring of infants, the elderly, disabled individuals, and hospital patients, a class of population that may not be able to communicate distress or discomfort. Timely notification of insult events can enhance the care of this population by improving incontinence management, preventing rashes and infections, and avoiding embarrassment. Through this research, the team has developed a UHF RFID based sensor that utilizes super absorbent hydrogel (SAP), a material conventionally found in diaper construction, for the dual purpose of moisture sensing and as an antenna element for wireless communication. Adapting the SAP for both sensing and communication keeps the sensor costs low and amenable for easy integration in the diaper manufacturing process. The sensor has been characterized for smallest baby diaper geometry, with an ability to be extended to adult diapers too. It is demonstrated that the sensor design works reliably and repeatably, achieves a read range of > 1 m, a bend radius of < 20 mm and works in different body positions.
ยป Pankhuri Sen
Researcher, MIT AutoID Lab
BIOGRAPHY
Pankhuri Sen is a product manager passionate about technology development and its ethical use for designing human-centered applications. She graduated from MIT in 2020 post completion of her interdisciplinary graduate studies in Engineering and Management, and Technology and Policy. Her research at MIT focused on developing IoT based sensors for Smart Diapers. She previously worked on improving the battery performance of IoT products and smartphones with Qualcomm.
