Repetitive brain trauma often associated with contact sports and military service can lead to progressive neurological deterioration known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This disease can be associated with several abnormalities such as memory disturbances, behavioral and personality changes, Parkinson’s disease, as well as speech and gait issues . CTE is diagnosed only by neuropathological examination of brain tissue and is characterized by deposition of a protein called hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) which forms in clumps that spread slowly through the brain killing brain cells.

ShockTop is protective headgear designed to monitor impact for contact intensive activities. A standard football helmet is outfitted with an existing XOnano impact sensing smart foam that produces a triboelectric response to deformation in order to determine possible concussion risk factors based on designated safety thresholds (45-90 G: lower possible risk, 90-110 G: higher possible risk, 110 G+ immediate attention recommended). The real-time impact data derived from the force, acceleration, and impact energy data outputted by the foam is obtained and transmitted to the user’s mobile device via class one Bluetooth (~100m). The data will then be available to coaches and trainers and possibly made available to medical professionals for review based on the severity of impact assessed on sight. As opposed to current devices on the global market, ShockTop absorbs energy, measures acceleration to the head, and relays impact data to the user. This device is a fast and efficient way to monitor dangerous impacts to the head and can be used as a preventative measure for concussions and possibly neurodegenerative diseases such as CTE.

Intended Algorithm

The algorithm we are looking to implement into the existing software is taking the output (mV) and converting it into G’s to better understand our goals. The algorithm will be: G = x · mV/9.9mv assuming we are using C++.

In terms of our three varying thresholds, we plan to take the new output in G’s and create three cases in which there are a minimum and maximum value, and if the impact results in a force that is between those two numbers, a certain alert is obtained (i.e. word alert or corresponding light)