Body Sensor Networks to test your fitness at Summer Science Exhibition

Mini computers to monitor athletic perfomance - News Release

Imperial College London News Release

Under strict embargo for
18.00 hours British Summer Time
Monday 2 July 2007

Miniature computers which can monitor our health and help train athletes are on show at this year’s Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition.

Visitors will be able to see intelligent miniaturised body sensors which are being developed by researchers at Imperial College London. The sensors can monitor athletic performance, tailor training programmes to the individual’s physical abilities and modify the programme as the athlete improves. The exhibit will involve interactive demonstrations showing how the sensor works.

The wearable sensor devices are placed in the inner ear. The unique design of the sensor and its signal processing power inspired by the semicircular canals of the inner ear mean that the sensor is highly sensitive, easy-to-wear, and non-intrusive. The device allows the detection of a range of indicators including the walking cycle, steady and unsteady movement, acceleration, and spinal and joint shock wave transmission.

"Imagine computers as small as a pin head, but with enough power to carry out information processing, and affordable enough to be disposable," says Professor Guang-Zhong Yang from the Department of Computing and the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at Imperial College London. "As these inexpensive, flexible and customisable devices get more and more common, the computers themselves will gradually 'disappear' into the fabric of our lives."

Traditionally, the measurement of athlete performance is undertaken in laboratories, through monitoring comprehensive physiological and biomechanical parameters. Further performance characteristics are observed and assessed during competition, to judge the effectiveness of the training strategy. It is, however, difficult for laboratory based methods to replicate the exact physical and mental environment of the athlete during competition. This new technology will revolutionise these methods.

"This technology is not in the realm of science fiction. It is developing very quickly," says Professor Yang. "We hope these body sensors could help train UK Olympic athletes for 2008 and 2012."

The Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition is held annually at the Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of science. The event is free and open to the public. This year, 23 interactive exhibits will be on show presenting the best of UK science, engineering and technology. During the four days of the event, more than 4,000 people are expected to take up the opportunity to explore the exhibition.

-Ends-

For more information please contact:

Naomi Weston at Imperial College London’s press office
Tel: +44 (0)20 7594 6704
Mob: +44 (0)7803 886248
Email: n.weston@imperial.ac.uk

Or Clare Kingston at the Royal Society’s press office for queries about the Summer Science Exhibition
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7451 2508
Email: clare.kingston@royalsoc.ac.uk

Notes for Editors:

1. About the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition

The Exhibition runs from Monday 2 to Thursday 5 July 2007.

Press preview: 3.00 – 5.00 Monday 2 July
Exhibition opening times:
Monday 2 July 18.00 - 21.00 (late opening)
Tuesday 3 July 10.00 - 21.00 (late opening)
Wednesday 4 July 10.00 - 16.30
Thursday 5 July 10.00 - 16.30
Last entry 30 minutes before closing

Further information can be found at www.summerscience.org.uk

The Royal Society can be found at 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG.

2. About Imperial College London

Rated as the world’s ninth best university in the 2006 Times Higher Education Supplement University Rankings, Imperial College London is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research that attracts 11,500 students and 6,000 staff of the highest international quality.

Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and management and delivers practical solutions that improve quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture.

With 66 Fellows of the Royal Society among our current academic staff and distinguished past members of the College including 14 Nobel Laureates and two Fields Medallists, Imperial's contribution to society has been immense. Inventions and innovations include the discovery of penicillin, the development of holography and the foundations of fibre optics. This commitment to the application of our research for the benefit of all continues today with current focuses including interdisciplinary collaborations to tackle climate change and mathematical modelling to predict and control the spread of infectious diseases.

The College's 100 years of living science will be celebrated throughout 2007 with a range of events to mark the Centenary of the signing of Imperial's founding charter on 8 July 1907.

Website: www.imperial.ac.uk