Wearable Sensors to Monitor Environmental and Occupational Impacts to Brain Health

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Integrated Sensing and Cyber OBJECTIVE: The goal of this topic is to develop a wearable (integrated into kit or stand-alone applique) that measures 360-degree blast exposure to the wearer. Additionally, it is desired to have a User dashboard for use on a Nett Warrior-enabled end user device which leverages Android, Windows, Linux, and HTML. The data collected from this sensor will need to be transferred off the device and into a data Lakehouse (repository) in a specified format that will allow the data to be distributed to multiple users and who may only want partial data sets. DESCRIPTION: The blast gauge sensor is intended to be used in a variety of high risk of exposure scenarios where the wearer may be operating weapon systems and or in and around explosives. The environments for these type activities are both in open space (field, range, woods, etc.) as well as close quarters (rooms, buildings, around vehicles, etc.) where multiple reflections from blast waves can occur. This necessitates a sampling rate high enough to catch these multiple waves as well as the ability to read and write data at a high and reliable rate as these events are in the millisecond range of duration. The ability for this sensor to accurately measure and record the exposure (overpressure (psi), acceleration (g's) and or acoustic (dB or Hz) as it relates to the fidelity of lab grade gauges is also sought. The sensor is intended to have a mechanism to locally store data until the data can be transferred wired or wirelessly to a repository for future use or dissemination of the raw data. The sensor should be able to be linked to the wearer by scanning their Common Access Card (CAC) to store the wearer's PKI as a part of any exposure data package. The sensor should be reusable, rechargeable and data retrieval/download should require minimal to no action by the wearer other than to come within proximity of a data collection point or a Nett Warrior type device. A User dashboard will also be developed, that can be an App integrated onto the Nett Warrior end user device, that can quickly inform leaders on concerning exposures in near real time once the blast sensor comes within range of the device. It is envisioned this feedback will be in the form of programmable ranges that will simply indicate a green , yellow or red status based on preprogrammed fields in the sensor or user dashboard on board software. The data generated from the blast gage sensor will ultimately be transferred off the sensor to a repository. It is expected the performer will need to work with ongoing database and repository efforts separate from this announcement to ensure operability and integration where needed. PHASE I: Proposers interested in submitting a DP2 proposal must provide documentation to substantiate that the scientific and technical merit and feasibility equivalent to a Phase I project has been met. Documentation can include data, reports, specific measurements, success criteria of a prototype, etc. (DIRECT TO) PHASE II: This topic is accepting Direct to Phase II proposals for a cost up to $1,500,000 for a 12-month period of performance. Proposer are expected to have already designed and developed some form of blast measuring device that needs to be enhanced under this effort. End goal is to provide a holistic and unified, 360-degree, blast exposure picture for the sensor wearer. Multiple linked blast sensors are typically required to accomplish this picture and all the sensors will need to be time synced (i.e. GPS time, not location) in order to accurately reflect the exposure event. The culmination of the effort should result in an integrated (into kit if possible or as a stand-alone applique) blast sensor system that is hardened and capable of being tested to MIL-STD-810G conditions and shows very good agreement when compared to lab grade sensors such as pencil gauges. Development of a mature User dashboard on a Nett Warrior end user device that demonstrates green, yellow, red conditions based on programable ranges in the software. Data files that are output in a standard format that will provide at least the following information: Wearer's PKI Peak Positive and Negative Overpressure (psi) Peak Acceleration (g's) Impulse GPS Date/Time of the event Event duration (ms / sec) PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Mining & Construction Blasts: Overpressure impacts from blasting in mining and construction. Law Enforcement: Understanding impact from repetitive live fire training and operations. Impact Sports: Acceleration data is being used by many high impact sports (football, combat sports, soccer, etc.) for study and prevention of mild TBI (mTBI), TBI, and CTE. Construction Noise: Acoustic exposure data could improve site safety regarding noise, as construction workers experience higher rates of hearing loss than the general population. Blast Tracing: In various settings (e.g., industrial, gas, forestry) where explosion risks are present and a large area need to be monitored. High impact sports where mild TBI (mTBI) & TBI can occur and data, particularly head acceleration, is needed (football, hockey, soccer, etc.) Law Enforcement (weapons fire and breaching operations) Mining and demolition activities for exposure tracking, akin to a dosimeter REFERENCES: 1. https://blastinjuryresearch.health.mil/index.cfm/news_and_highlights/facilitating_collaboration 2. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(13)70161-3/abstract 3. https://dodiac.dtic.mil/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/DS-SS-GTRI_ISSS-Blast-Sensor.pdf KEYWORDS: Blast Overpressure (BOP) Sensor; Nett Warrior; Tactical Assault Kit (TAK); Data Repository, Data Lakehouse; TBI; mTBI; Blast gauge; Overpressure; Blast Overpressure