I-Corps: Translation Potential of Flexible Electronics for Next-Generation Wearable Cardiac Diagnostics

This I-Corps project is based on the development of a flexible wearable patch that continuously measures both the electrical and mechanical activity of the heart. Cardiovascular disease often requires repeated clinic visits or single-mode monitors that may miss important changes occurring during daily life. This technology combines two complementary types of cardiac information in one comfortable, skin-conformal device, enabling longer-term monitoring outside traditional healthcare settings. Applications of this technology included hospitals, outpatient practices, telehealth programs, home-monitoring services, and medical device companies. The technology may provide a more complete picture of heart function, and may provide earlier detection of abnormalities, more informed clinical decisions, improved remote patient management, and reduced need for repeat testing. This I-Corps project utilizes experiential learning coupled with first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem to assess the translation potential of a flexible dual-modal cardiac patch that integrates electrocardiogram and seismocardiogram sensing. The technology combines piezoelectric nanofiber sensors, flexible conductive electrodes, and stretchable electronics to acquire synchronized electrical and mechanical cardiac signals from a single skin-conformal platform. Its distinguishing advance is the integration of two complementary sensing modalities into a single wearable device, providing richer physiological information than conventional systems that primarily measure electrical activity alone. Functional proof-of-concept prototypes have demonstrated simultaneous signal acquisition, mechanical flexibility, and reliable operation during continuous monitoring. This may provide real-time, long-term monitoring that enables proactive and preventative disease management, significantly reducing health complications and mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.