<p>  </p> <p>High-resolution enclosed channels/fibers are highly demanded by different disciplines such as microfluidic channels for chemical synthesis, bioreactors for drug metabolism, magnetic locomotor for drug delivery, and wearable devices for motion detection. However, the current fabrication techniques for enclosed channels/fibers are restricted to a few millimeters in size. Their manufacturing often involves time and energy-consuming multi-step processes with insufficient resolution. In this work, we demonstrate a novel co-flow-enabled fabrication method to resolve the technological restrictions in the fabrication of high-resolution enclosed channels/fibers with efficient production time, controllable morphologies, and high throughput manner.</p> <p>An epoxy-based enclosed microfluidic channel was first built. A non-reactive paraffin oil and a liquid resin were pumped into a 3D-printed co-flow generator and worked as core and shell fluids, respectively. The epoxy resin was cured by external heat stimulus. As a result, the reaction region was limited between the generator wall surface and the boundary of core flow, eliminating the need for precise control over the curing system. The experiment was successfully conducted to cure build resin channel inside copper and resin tubes with good shell thickness.</p> <p>Conductive hollow hydrogel microfibers were also fabricated by this method. Sodium Alginate and Calcium Chloride were chosen as the shell and core flows, respectively. The ionic crosslinking happens at the boundary of two flows and expands outwards across the radial direction. Thus, the diameter of the hollow channel can be easily adjusted by tuning the flow rate and the size of the core flow injection needle. PEDOT: PSS, a conductive polymer, was mixed with Sodium Alginate to impart fibers with excellent electrical conductivity. The synthesized hollow microfibers have shown their functionality in stretching movement detection by serving as a fundamental building element of motion sensors. </p>

The rapidly increasing popularity in wearables in combination with countries such as Sweden moving towards a cashless society creates a market for wearable payment devices. NFC technology is already used in traditional payment cards to provide contactless payment and is now also being used in other forms such as rings or bracelets to provide smart payment devices. However, despite NFC technology being commonly used consumers are not familiar with using the technology in alternative forms or connecting them with their smartphones. Something that Fidesmo, a Swedish company that provides a platform for wearable payment devices, has observed amongst their users. Fidesmo found that users faced so many problems attempting to link their payment card to their wearable on their own they no longer recommend users attempt this. This thesis aims to investigate this problem and present insights that can be utilized to create an effective onboarding experience. The onboarding experience aims to guide users through the following: connecting wearables to smartphones, linking a payment card to the wearable through the smartphone and how to use the wearable to make payment at a payment terminal. Through research into the field, traditional user research workshops and co-design workshops exploring the existing onboarding experience within Fidesmo’s smartphone application the following insights could be derived: Visualize Information, Thorough Instructions, Building Confidence, Celebrating Success, Locate "Connection Points", Designing the Physical and Relate to the Familiar. These insights are strongly indicated by the results and some are supported by previous research. A high fidelity prototype was designed using these insights to demonstrate how to apply them. During user tests the design proposed showed significant improvements compared to Fidesmo’s current onboarding experience. / Det snabbt växande intresset för wearables i kombination med att länder såsom Sverige går mot ett kontantlöst samhälle har skapat en marknad för betallösningar i formen av wearables. NFC teknologi används redan i traditionella betalkort för funktionen kontaktlös betalning och används nu även i andra former såsom ringar eller armband för att tillhandahålla smarta betalningsenheter. Men trots den breda användingen av NFC teknologi så tycks konsumenter inte vara bekanta med att använda tekniken i alternativa former eller att utföra kopplingen med sina smartphones. Detta är något som Fidesmo, ett svenskt företag som erbjuder en plattform för wearable betalningsenheter, upptäckt bland sina användare. Fidesmo fann att sina användare stötte på så pass många problem när de försökte länka sitt betalkort till sin wearable själva att detta inte längre rekommenderas. Detta examensarbete avser att undersöka detta problem och presentera insikter som är ämnade för att skapa en effektiv onboarding upplevelse. Onboarding upplevelsen syftar på att guida användare genom följande moment: koppla wearables till smartphones, länka betalkort till wearables genom smartphones och hur man ska använda denna wearable för att betala vid en kortterminal. Genom forskning kring området, traditionella användarforsknings workshops och co-design workshops som utforskade den befintliga onboarding upplevelsen i Fidesmos smartphone applikation kunde följande insikter anskaffas: Visualicera Information, Nogranna Instruktioner, Bygga Självförtroende, Fira Framgång, Indikera “Anslutningspunkter”, Designa det Fysiska, och Relatera till det Familjära. Dessa Insikter är starkt indikerade av resultatet från denna studie och vissa stöds av tidigare forskning. En high fidelity prototyp var därefter designad baserat på insikterna för att demonstrera hur de kunde appliceras. Under användartester visade den föreslagna designen tecken på en tydlig förbättring i jämförelse med Fidesmos nuvarande onboarding upplevelse.

[pt] A marcação de palco em dança é uma das etapas mais importantes no dia a dia das atividades do bailarino e do coreógrafo. É na marcação, ministrada pelo coreógrafo, e executada pelo bailarino, que os gestos e deslocamentos que compõem a cena são especificados para serem colocados em prática durante os ensaios em salas de aula e no palco. A marcação de palco, em um espetáculo de dança, serve também como guia a outras atividades que ocorrem simultaneamente para a realização do espetáculo, tais como a dança propriamente dita, a atuação, a música, o figurino, a iluminação e a cenografia. Para bailarinos profissionais, seguir a marcação de palco nos ensaios e nas apresentações é uma atividade realizada com facilidade. Entretanto, bailarinos amadores, por sua pouca experiência em fazer uso da marcação de palco, acabam tendo grande dificuldade para memorizar e executar a coreografia concebida pelo coreógrafo para o espetáculo. Esta pesquisa parte da oportunidade de unir o Design e a tecnologia nas interações que ocorrem no palco, em espetáculos de dança, buscando investigar novas possibilidades para a marcação de palco especificamente em ballet. O estudo teve como tema o uso de tecnologias interativas na marcação de palco, e como objetivos observar se e como a introdução de tecnologia digital interativa afeta a interação e comunicação entre coreógrafo e bailarino durante a elaboração e execução da coreografia, bem como identificar tecnologias adequadas a essa atividade. A metodologia adotada na pesquisa, de natureza exploratória, incluiu técnicas de observação assistemática, observação participativa, documentação direta, observação direta extensiva, entrevistas, desenvolvimento de experimentos e observação dos mesmos em uso. Um primeirom experimento consistiu em um sistema interativo composto por uma pala de ballet vestível usada pelo bailarino e conectada por sensores e fio a uma interface gráfica utilizada pelo coreógrafo em um laptop. Em depoimentos registrados após a realização de testes com uma coreógrafa e uma bailarina, foi possível identificar pontos específicos em que a introdução da tecnologia digital interativa trouxe uma contribuição positiva para a interação entre coreógrafo e bailarino. Num segundo momento de experimentação, um wearable foi desenvolvido para funcionar sem o uso do fio, sendo ativado pelo coreógrafo via Wi-Fi pelo laptop. Os experimentos realizados indicaram que, o Design e a tecnologia, no contexto da marcação de palco em ballet, além de facilitarem a execução da coreografia pela bailarina, trouxeram conforto para o coreógrafo, que ao utilizar o software para orientar os deslocamentos e localização dos bailarinos a partir de seu laptop, tem a possibilidade de se movimentar no ambiente, enriquecendo sua visão do conjunto com pontos de vista variados. A pesquisa evidenciou inúmeras possibilidades de desenvolvimento e aplicações do sistema, dentro e fora do ambiente de dança. / [en] Stage marking in dance is an important step in the day-to-day activities of the dancer and the choreographer. It is in the marking, given by the choreographer and executed by the dancer, that the gestures and movements that make up the scene are specified for further practice during rehearsals in classrooms and on stage. The stage marking, in a dance show, also serves as a guide to other activities that occur simultaneously to complete the performance, such as the dance itself, acting, music, costumes, lighting and set design. For professional dancers, following the stage marking in rehearsals and performances is an easy activity. However, amateur dancers, for their little experience in making use of stage marking, end up having great difficulty in memorizing and performing the choreography designed by the choreographer for the show. This research is based on the opportunity to unite Design and technology in the interactions that take place on stage, in dance performances, seeking to investigate new possibilities for stage marking specifically in ballet. The study had as its theme the use of interactive technologies in the stage marking, and as objectives to observe if and how the introduction of digital interactive technology affects the interaction and communication between choreographer and dancer during the elaboration and execution of the choreography, as well as to identify suitable technologies to this activity. The methodology adopted in the exploratory research included techniques of unsystematic observation, participatory observation, direct documentation, extensive direct observation, interviews, development of experiments and observation of their use. A first experiment consisted of an interactive system composed of a wearable ballet flap used by the dancer and connected by sensors and wire to a graphical interface controlled by the choreographer on a laptop. In testimonies recorded after performing tests with a choreographer and a dancer, it was possible to identify specific points where the introduction of digital interactive technology has made a positive contribution to the interaction between choreographer and dancer. In a second moment of experimentation, a wearable was developed to function without the use of the wire, being activated by the choreographer via Wi-Fi in the laptop. The experiments carried out indicated that Design and technology, in the context of ballet stage marking, besides facilitating the execution of the choreography by the dancer, brought comfort to the choreographer who, when using the software to guide the movements and location of the dancers from his laptop, has the possibility to move around in the environment, enriching his overview of the whole show with a variety of points of view. The research evidenced numerous possibilities of developments and applications of the system, inside and outside the dance context.

Esta tese apresenta os estudos e esforços visando ao desenvolvimento de sensores químicos para aplicações diversas na área forense. Foram desenvolvidos métodos eletroanalíticos para detecção e quantificação de alguns compostos comumente encontrados na adulteração de amostras de drogas de abuso (procaína, fenacetina, aminopirina, paracetamol, levamisol), além da cocaína e estudos fundamentais sobre o comportamento eletroquímico desses compostos. Empregaram-se também métodos eletroquímicos para quantificação de compostos tóxicos e perigosos como explosivos (ácido pícrico) e melamina por exemplo. Os trabalhos utilizando sensores eletroquímicos contemplam modificações eletroquímicas das superfícies eletródicas, utilização de sensores com polímeros molecularmentes impressos (MIP) e eletrodos descartáveis em papel utilizando diferentes técnicas voltamétricas e amperométricas, eletrodo disco rotatório (EDR) e microbalança de cristal de quartzo. Além da fabricação de dispositivos analíticos descartáveis em papel empregando detecção eletroquímica utilizou-se também a detecção colorimétrica para quantificação de alguns dos principais adulterantes de amostras de apreensão de cocaína, como procaína e fenacetina, bem como análises e discriminações de compostos explosivos (peroxi e nitro compostos) nessas plataformas portáteis e de baixo custo. Os métodos foram sempre desenvolvidos visando característicos como: facilidade, praticidade, baixo custo e portabilidade para análises diretamente no local de medida com mínima infraestrutura laboratorial. Por fim, são apresentados alguns estudos realizados durante estágio de pesquisa no exterior (Universidade da Califórnia - San Diego (UCSD)) na área de Wearable Sensors, em que foram desenvolvidos métodos para análises de micronutrientes no suor (zinco) e um metabólito (ácido úrico) na saliva usando sensores aplicados diretamente no corpo humano. / This thesis shows studies and efforts to the development of chemical sensors for different applications in the forensic field. Electroanalytical methods were developed for detection and quantification of some compounds (procaine, phenacetin, aminopyrine, acetaminophen, levamisole) commonly found in the drug of abuse adulteration process and cocaine, as well as, fundamental studies about the electrochemical behavior of these compounds. It was also employed electrochemical methods for quantification of hazardous compounds such as explosives (picric acid) and melamine. Analytical methods with electrochemical sensors included electrochemical modification of electrodic surfaces, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP), and paper disposable electrochemical devices using different voltammetric and amperometric techniques, rotating disc electrode (RDE) and quartz crystal microbalance. In addition to the fabrication of paper disposable analytical devices with electrochemical detection, it was also used the colorimetric detection to quantify some of the major adulterants in cocaine seizure samples, such as procaine and phenacetin, as well as analysis and discrimination of explosive compounds (peroxy and nitro explosives) in these low cost portable platforms. All proposed methods were always developed aming at theses characteristics: ease, convenience, low cost and portability for analysis directly at the measurement site with minimal laboratory infrastructure. Finally, we presented some studies conducted during research internship abroad (University of California - San Diego (UCSD)) in the area of Wearable Sensors, which have been developed methods for micronutrient analysis in sweat (Zn) and a metabolite (Uric Acid) in saliva using sensors applied directly to the human body

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No. of bitstreams: 1 VICENTE MARTIN MASTROCOLA.pdf: 30106866 bytes, checksum: 100fce965601e8e1054c7927906aebae (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-30 / In view of the centrality of relationships between communication, consumption and technology in contemporaneity, the present research project examines certain digital devices which potentially hybridize to the human body and lie in the wearable technology category. More specifically, we discuss new types of human/non-human intertwining articulated by this category, understood from a sociocultural point of view. When dealing with wearable technologies, we discuss how the orchestration of various socio-technical objects is reconfiguring daily life and generating new possibilities to think the materiality of communications and the rhetorics of consumption. This study does not attain to a specific device. We seek to think, in a broader fashion, different examples of integration between humans and non-humans, considering, among other aspects, how this type of technology can serve strategically to enhance relationships between brand/companies and their consumers. Methodologically, this thesis activates various research procedures, such as empirical research of qualitative approach, interviews with key informants from companies related to the technological area of Brazil (Movimento Makers, PontoMobi, Nike, ESPM, GFK International etc), technology/media/communications researchers from foreign universities (Bratislava Pan-European University, Budapest Faculty of Engineering e Klagenfurt AlpenAdria-Universität), interviews with distinct users of wearable devices and bibliographic research, the latter supported by representative authors of the field of communication, consumption, media and technology, such as Alex Primo, André Lemos, Bernard Stiegler, Bruno Latour, Danah Boyd, Gilbert Simondon, Luisa Paraguai, Roberta Sassatelli, Suely Fragoso, Tommaso Venturini, among others. The methodology emphasizes the Cartography of Controversies, a model which derives from the Actor-Network Theory, initially proposed by Bruno Latour. In this doctoral thesis, we seek to identify different connections between communication, consumption and technological aspects. / Tendo em vista a centralidade das relações entre comunicação, consumo e tecnologia na contemporaneidade, esta pesquisa examina determinados dispositivos digitais que potencialmente se hibridizam ao corpo humano e que se situam na categoria das wearable technologies. Mais especificamente, discutimos novos tipos de entrelaçamento humano/nãohumano articulados por essa categoria tecnológica, entendida a partir de uma abordagem sóciocultural. Quando tratamos da tecnologia vestível, discutimos como a orquestração de diversos objetos sociotécnicos está reconfigurando o cotidiano e gerando novas possibilidades para pensarmos as materialidades da comunicação e as retóricas do consumo. Neste trabalho, não nos atemos a um device específico; procuramos refletir de maneira ampla sobre diferentes exemplos de integrações entre humano e não-humano, ponderando, mais especificamente, sobre como esse tipo de tecnologia pode servir estrategicamente para relações entre marcas/empresas e seus consumidores. Metodologicamente, este estudo aciona diversos procedimentos de pesquisa, tais como: pesquisa empírica de abordagem qualitativa, entrevistas com informantes privilegiados de empresas ligadas à área tecnológica do Brasil (Movimento Makers, PontoMobi, Nike, ESPM, GFK International etc), pesquisadores de tecnologia/mídia/comunicação de universidades estrangeiras (Bratislava Pan-European University, Budapest Faculty of Engineering e Klagenfurt Alpen-Adria-Universität), entrevistas com usuários de distintos wearable devices e pesquisa bibliográfica, sendo que esta última foi amparada por autores representativos do campo da comunicação, consumo, mídia e tecnologia, como Alex Primo, André Lemos, Bernard Stiegler, Bruno Latour, Danah Boyd, Gilbert Simondon, Luisa Paraguai, Roberta Sassatelli, Suely Fragoso, Tommaso Venturini, entre outros. A metodologia, enfatiza a Cartografia de Controvérsias, modelo que deriva da Teoria Ator-Rede, inicialmente proposta por Bruno Latour. No trajeto desta tese de doutoramento, buscamos identificar diferentes conexões entre comunicação, consumo e aspectos tecnológicos.

Esta tese apresenta os estudos e esforços visando ao desenvolvimento de sensores químicos para aplicações diversas na área forense. Foram desenvolvidos métodos eletroanalíticos para detecção e quantificação de alguns compostos comumente encontrados na adulteração de amostras de drogas de abuso (procaína, fenacetina, aminopirina, paracetamol, levamisol), além da cocaína e estudos fundamentais sobre o comportamento eletroquímico desses compostos. Empregaram-se também métodos eletroquímicos para quantificação de compostos tóxicos e perigosos como explosivos (ácido pícrico) e melamina por exemplo. Os trabalhos utilizando sensores eletroquímicos contemplam modificações eletroquímicas das superfícies eletródicas, utilização de sensores com polímeros molecularmentes impressos (MIP) e eletrodos descartáveis em papel utilizando diferentes técnicas voltamétricas e amperométricas, eletrodo disco rotatório (EDR) e microbalança de cristal de quartzo. Além da fabricação de dispositivos analíticos descartáveis em papel empregando detecção eletroquímica utilizou-se também a detecção colorimétrica para quantificação de alguns dos principais adulterantes de amostras de apreensão de cocaína, como procaína e fenacetina, bem como análises e discriminações de compostos explosivos (peroxi e nitro compostos) nessas plataformas portáteis e de baixo custo. Os métodos foram sempre desenvolvidos visando característicos como: facilidade, praticidade, baixo custo e portabilidade para análises diretamente no local de medida com mínima infraestrutura laboratorial. Por fim, são apresentados alguns estudos realizados durante estágio de pesquisa no exterior (Universidade da Califórnia - San Diego (UCSD)) na área de Wearable Sensors, em que foram desenvolvidos métodos para análises de micronutrientes no suor (zinco) e um metabólito (ácido úrico) na saliva usando sensores aplicados diretamente no corpo humano. / This thesis shows studies and efforts to the development of chemical sensors for different applications in the forensic field. Electroanalytical methods were developed for detection and quantification of some compounds (procaine, phenacetin, aminopyrine, acetaminophen, levamisole) commonly found in the drug of abuse adulteration process and cocaine, as well as, fundamental studies about the electrochemical behavior of these compounds. It was also employed electrochemical methods for quantification of hazardous compounds such as explosives (picric acid) and melamine. Analytical methods with electrochemical sensors included electrochemical modification of electrodic surfaces, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP), and paper disposable electrochemical devices using different voltammetric and amperometric techniques, rotating disc electrode (RDE) and quartz crystal microbalance. In addition to the fabrication of paper disposable analytical devices with electrochemical detection, it was also used the colorimetric detection to quantify some of the major adulterants in cocaine seizure samples, such as procaine and phenacetin, as well as analysis and discrimination of explosive compounds (peroxy and nitro explosives) in these low cost portable platforms. All proposed methods were always developed aming at theses characteristics: ease, convenience, low cost and portability for analysis directly at the measurement site with minimal laboratory infrastructure. Finally, we presented some studies conducted during research internship abroad (University of California - San Diego (UCSD)) in the area of Wearable Sensors, which have been developed methods for micronutrient analysis in sweat (Zn) and a metabolite (Uric Acid) in saliva using sensors applied directly to the human body

Although current head imaging technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) are capable of providing accurate diagnosis of brain injuries such as stroke and brain tumour, they have several limitations including high cost, long scanning time, bulky and mostly stationary. On the other hand, radar-based microwave imaging technology can offer a low cost, non-invasive and non-ionisation method to complement these existing imaging techniques. Moreover, a compact and wearable device for microwave head imaging is required to facilitate frequent or real-time monitoring of a patient by providing more comfort to the patient. Therefore, a wearable head imaging device would be a significant advantage compared to the existing wideband microwave head sensing devices which typically utilise rigid antenna structure. Furthermore, the wearable device can be integrated into different microwave imaging setups such as real-time wearable head imaging systems, portable systems and conventional stationary imaging tools for use in hospitals and clinics. This thesis presents the design and development of wearable devices utilising flexible antenna arrays and compact radio frequency (RF) switching circuits for wideband microwave head imaging applications. The design and characterisation of sensing antennas using flexible materials for the wearable head imaging device are presented in the first stage of this study. There are two main variations of monopole antennas that have been developed in this research, namely trapezoidal and elliptical configurations. The antennas have been fabricated using different flexible substrate materials such as flexible FR-4, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and textile. Wideband performances of the antennas have been achieved by optimising their co-planar waveguide feeding line structures. Importantly, the efficiencies of the fabricated antennas have been tested using a realistic human head phantom by evaluating their impedance matching performances when operating in close proximity to the head phantom. The second stage of the study presents the development of wearable antenna arrays using the proposed flexible antennas. The first prototype has been built using an array of 12 flexible antennas and a conformal absorbing material backed with a conductive sheet to suppress the back lobe radiation of the monopole antennas. Additionally, the absorber also acts as a mounting base to hold the antennas where the wearable device can be comfortably worn like a hat during the measurement and monitoring processes. The effect of mutual coupling between adjacent antennas in the array has been investigated and optimised. However, the use of the absorbing material makes the device slightly rigid where it can only be fitted on a specific head size. Thus, a second prototype has been developed by using a head band to realise a stretchable configuration that can be mounted on different sizes of human heads. Furthermore, due to the stretchable characteristic of the prototype, the antennas can be firmly held in their positions when measurements are made. In addition, fully textile based sensing antennas are employed in this prototype making it perfectly suitable for monitoring purposes. Low cost and compact switching circuits to provide switching mechanism for the wearable antenna array are presented in the third stage of this study. The switching circuit is integrated with the antenna array to form a novel wearable microwave head imaging device eliminating the use of external bulky switching network. The switching circuit has been built using off-the-shelf components where it can be controlled wirelessly over Bluetooth connection. Then, a new integrated switching circuit prototype has been fabricated using 6-layer printed circuit board (PCB) technology. For the purpose of impedance matching for the radio-frequency (RF) routing lines on the circuit, a wideband Microstrip-to-Microstrip transition is utilised. The final stage of this study investigates the efficacy and sensitivity of the proposed wearable devices by performing experiments on developed realistic human head phantoms. Initially, a human head phantom has been fabricated using food-based ingredients such as tap water, sugar, salt, and agar. Subsequently, lamb's brains have been used to improve the head phantom employed in the experiments to better mimic the heterogeneous human brain. In terms of imaging process, an interpolation technique developed using experimental data has been proposed to assist the localisation of a haemorrhage stroke location using the confocal delay-and-sum algorithm. This new technique is able to provide sensible accuracy of the location of the blood clot inside the brain. The wearable antenna arrays using flexible antennas and their integrations with compact and low cost switching circuits reported in this thesis make valuable contribution to microwave head imaging field. It is expected that a low-cost, compact and wearable radar-based microwave head imaging can be fully realised in the future for wide range of applications including static scanning setup in hospitals, portable equipment in ambulances and as a standalone wearable head monitoring system for remote and real-time monitoring purposes.

[pt] A dificuldade de locomoção de pedestres cegos é um problema complexo constituído das dificuldades de percepção e de orientação. Parte da dificuldade de percepção é identificar pontos de referência, que é necessário para que indivíduos montem uma representação do espaço, orientem-se nesse espaço e definam trajetórias para se locomover. Nessa pesquisa, foram desenvolvidos e investigados wearables para apoiar indivíduos cegos a identificar pontos de referência. O primeiro Estudo de Caso foi realizado para investigar uma maneira de evitar o masking, problema causado pela tecnologia que consiste numa sobrecarga cognitiva e no prejuízo temporário da capacidade do indivíduo de sensoriar o ambiente com seus sentidos. Para investigar o masking, foram realizados Estudos de Caso com participantes cegos e wearables propostos nessa pesquisa. A partir dos estudos, conclui-se que o wearable dessa pesquisa foi bem sucedido em evitar o masking e essa abordagem foi considerada uma alternativa válida para pesquisadores que investigam esse problema em outros contextos. No segundo Estudo de Caso, já com o masking controlado, concluiu-se que o wearable proposto nessa pesquisa possibilita aos indivíduos cegos explorar mais pontos de referência em relação à exploração exclusivamente com a bengala. Essa pesquisa contribui também com um conjunto de recomendações para projetistas de wearables para mobilidade de cegos. / [en] The difficulty in the locomotion of blind pedestrians is a complex problem that comprises the difficulties of perception and orientation. Part of the difficulty of perception is the identification of landmarks, which is necessary for the orientation process and also the acquisition of a spatial representation. The spatial representation will be used later when orientating in this space and for defining paths to move from a given place to another. In this research, wearables were investigated aiming at supporting blind persons in the task of identifying of landmarks. The first step was to investigate a way to avoid masking, a problem caused by technology that is characterized by a cognitive overload and the harmful interference of technology in the wearer’s capabilities of sensing the environment through their senses. In order to investigate masking, a Case Study was designed and carried out with a group of blind subjects. As a result, the wearable succeeded in avoiding masking. The approach used is considered useful as an alternative for researchers that investigate this problem in other contexts. Besides avoiding the masking, the proposed wearable enabled blind individuals explore more landmarks when compared to the approach of exploring with a white cane. Furthermore, this research also contributes with a set of recommendations for designers of wearables for blind mobility.

The main vision of wearable computing is to make electronic systems an important part of everyday clothing in the future which will serve as intelligent personal assistants. Wearable devices have the potential to be wearable computers and not mere input/output devices for the human body. The present thesis focuses on introducing a new wearable computing paradigm, where the processing elements are closely coupled with the sensors that are distributed using Instruction Systolic Array (ISA) architecture. The thesis describes a novel, multiple sensor, multiple processor system architecture prototype based on the Instruction Systolic Array paradigm for distributed computing on fabrics. The thesis introduces new programming model to implement the distributed computer on fabrics. The implementation of the concept has been validated using parallel algorithms. A real-time shape sensing and reconstruction application has been implemented on this architecture and has demonstrated a physical design for a wearable system based on the ISA concept constructed from off-the-shelf microcontrollers and sensors. Results demonstrate that the real time application executes on the prototype ISA implementation thus confirming the viability of the proposed architecture for fabric-resident computing devices.

付記する学位プログラム名: デザイン学大学院連携プログラム / 京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第21759号 / 工博第4576号 / 新制||工||1713(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科機械理工学専攻 / (主査)教授 松野 文俊, 教授 椹木 哲夫, 教授 小森 雅晴 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM