Overview:
The NASA Human Research Program (HRP) is seeking perspectives to deliver ideas and solutions for available mid- to high-level TRL wearables that provide dynamic, minimally invasive, or completely non-invasive measurements of biochemical markers in dermal biofluids, specifically sweat and interstitial fluid.
Background:
Complementary objectives have been identified between the HRP and Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) regarding the need to optimize in-mission crew or warfighter performance. The ability to non-invasively monitor changes in physiological status which could be correlated to performance would be highly beneficial to HRP and DTRA. Ideally, spaceflight crew members or warfighters could be passively monitored in real time without having to dedicate time and resources in support of data collection on physiological health status. Minimally, or non-invasive technologies that utilize sweat or dermal interstitial fluid could provide possible sources of biomonitoring information. Biometric monitoring devices and wearable biosensors are an interesting solution to acquire near-continuous, real time physiological information from these biological sources.
Constraints:
Wearables need to:
- Be minimally invasive – take completely non-invasive measurements of biochemical markers in biofluids, specifically sweat and dermal interstitial fluid.
- Have utility of technology in spaceflight environments (particularly microgravity or transient high G periods for any microfluidics).
- Have minimal mass, power, and volume requirements.
- Be capable of radiation hardened modification for any non-redundant electronic components.
Wearables must not:
- Obstruct or distract the user
- Only be at the research level – research level solutions without operational validation will be of less interest.
Possible Solution Areas:
- Wearable biosensors with precision health and medical monitoring capabilities.
- Transducer-based (electrochemical, optical, etc.) platform technologies
- Bioreceptor-based (catalytic or affinity) biosensors that can monitor biomarkers including metabolites, chemicals, bacteria, and hormones.
- Embedded sensors (e.g., into apparel) that could be worn against the skin as part of a uniform.
Field of use and intended applications:
Provide actionable health and/or performance insights for in-mission astronauts or warfighters.
Related TechNeeds:
NASA Seeking: Micro-monitoring/diagnostics for humans
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Image by Freepik
