As healthcare costs increase as a result of chronic diseases and aging populations, medical professionals are looking for innovative methods to reduce expenses. Medical-grade wearables are one of the innovations that are growing in demand. Their nature and ability to gather valuable data make smart medical wearables a potentially powerful tool to monitor different diseases and conditions.

A group of researchers at Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s College of Science and Engineering (CSE) have monitored significant results on engineering smart wearables under the supervision of Dr. Amine Bermak, Professor and Associate Dean of CSE.

The Smart Mask features printed, nano-material multisensory patches, that are capable of detecting and monitoring a set of physical parameters with fascinating real-time accuracy.

Designed to be worn like today’s commonly used medical facemasks. The very light device can measure variables like body temperature, respiration, humidity, as well as inhale and exhale frequency, including coughing and other irregularities in breathing patterns.

According to Dr. Bermak, “The entire idea and research on this technology predates COVID-19. It was fully envisioned and brought into play at HBKU’s College of Science and Engineering and by the brilliant minds in the Sensor Research Group. The innovation behind the masks is the printing of sensors on textiles at a low cost and amplifying the originally very low signal on a handheld device.”

The “made in Qatar” innovation is capable of even analyzing gases contained in its wearer’s breath, allowing the device to scan for a plethora of diseases. For example, the concentration of acetone detected by the smart mask would indicate an individual’s potential risk of being diabetic.

Similarly, different sensors can be integrated to reveal even more diseases, possibly even COVID-19. Although, it would require more research because of the complex nature of the coronavirus.

The sensor of the Smart has been designed to be affordable and disposable. It Is expected that future masks may be washable, reusable and even allow the data to be automatically transferred through an app or smartwatch.

The product is already in the process of being patented as the study and assessment of its commercialization potential show promise, prompting international companies to seek partnerships with HBKU to bring the technology to the market.

According to Dr. Bermak, “The smart mask represents a significant step forward in applying smart technology in people’s everyday lives to improve modern quality of life. Such technology will remain long after the current pandemic is history”.

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