This NIH/NIBIB R01 project aims to develop a novel artificial intelligence-assisted wearable sensor system, MINDER, which will continuously monitor physiologic changes and use ML algorithms to accurately identify buprenorphine use in opiod use disorders. MINDER is comprised of a custom upper arm wearable  a companion app, and a clinician-facing portal. 

Funding: National Institutes of Health (Award Info)

This is an international collaboration between the USA (NSF) and India (DST). Central to RE-GAIN's mission is to harness a medical cyber-physical system (mCPS) by synergizing smart gloves, Virtual/Augmented Reality (VR/AR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This promises a human-centered rehabilitation, where the technology can engage stroke survivors. 

Funding: National Science Foundation (Award Info)

This NSF I-Corps project utilizes experiential learning coupled with a first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem to assess the translation potential of the technology. This solution is based on the development of novel textile-based sensors, which include dry electrodes and electronics embedded in everyday clothing. 

Funding: National Science Foundation (Award Info)

The NephroWear project conducts a feasibility study among dialysis patients at Rhode Island Hospital to assess sleep quality and duration. By comparing sleep metrics on dialysis and non-dialysis days, the study evaluates NephroWear’s effectiveness in capturing health data and its potential to enhance monitoring and personalized patient care.

Funding: RI Life Science Hub (Agency Info)

This project aims to analyze ADHD behavioral symptoms using data from a commercial smartwatch's accelerometer, gyroscope, and heart rate sensing, along with computer mouse movement while playing puzzle games.

Funding: URI Office of Research Development 

RISE ABOVE is a self-paced, online stigma self-management program co-designed with people with epilepsy. It features four interactive modules on stress management, stigma recognition, cognitive restructuring, and problem-solving. The program aims to empower users through education and skill-building to better manage internalized stigma.

Funding: Epilepsy Foundation New England 

This project was a collaboration with the Rhode Island–based startup Q2Behave. The goal was to conduct a clinical study to collect foundational behavioral data needed to develop a data analysis algorithm that will ultimately support a wearable platform designed to help children and parents better manage ADHD.

Funding: RI Commerce Innovation Voucher 

This project was a collaboration with the Rhode Island–based company, Nautilus Defense. The goal was to evaluate the electromechanical and sensing characteristics of functional braided composite yarns.  It also included measuring their utility in a broad range of shape, strain, and kinematic modeling applications and their associated markets.

Funding: RI Commerce Innovation Voucher 

NeoTex is a soft, textile-based wearable device designed to monitor vital signs in premature infants. It aims to provide continuous, non-invasive monitoring of heart rate and respiration. The innovation enhances neonatal care by replacing rigid sensors with a more comfortable, skin-friendly alternative for fragile newborns.

Funding: National Science Foundation (Award Info)

This was an industry-sponsored project from Theracycle.  The project was aimed at enhancing the motor control mechanism and patient interaction technologies within their existing Theracycle products.  

Funding: Theracycle Corp. 

The PFI-TT project developed smart gloves to monitor Parkinson’s symptoms at home. Through multiple design iterations and participatory studies, the gloves improved in wearability and functionality. The project led to successful in-home trials and scholarly work, translating research into digital health solutions.

Funding: National Science Foundation (Award Info)

The CareWell App was aimed as a multicomponent mHealth platform designed to support dementia caregivers through education, assessment, and resource tools. It was tested in pilot and feasbility sudies on dementia caregivers. Feedback highlighted positive usability, especially for care management features. 

Funding: National Institutes of Health (Award Info)

This project was a collaboration with the Rhode Island–based company, Revolution Cycle Works. The goal was to design smart textile technologies embedded into the apparel of bikers.  This was targeted as a collision avoidance technology for bikers' safety. 

Funding: RI Commerce Innovation Voucher 

This project was a collaboration with the Rhode Island–based company, Cooley Group.  This project aimed at developing smart NFC-enabled materials for signages. The innovation was to transform static displays into interactive interfaces for marketing, navigation, and user engagement.

Funding: RI Commerce Innovation Voucher 

WatchBuddies was a smartwatch-based system designed to support children with autism by collecting psychophysiological data for behavior monitoring. The platform integrates sensor fusion and data-driven feedback to inform teachers and parents, aiming to improve emotional regulation and engagement. 

Funding: URI Research Office - Research Bridge Program 

This NSF CPS CAREER project aimed at developing wearable telemedicine technologies—including smart socks and gloves—to support home-based motor assessment for patients with Parkinson's Disease. Integrated with a mobile app and clinician portal, the system enabled real-time monitoring of motor symptoms, enhancing telehealth care.

Funding: National Science Foundation (Award Info)

The University of Rhode Island launched its first Artificial Intelligence Lab in a university library, offering students hands-on experience with AI, robotics, and programming. The space promotes interdisciplinary learning, featuring 3D printers, virtual reality, and smart tech tools to support innovation across fields like engineering, pharmacy, business, and design.

Funding: Champlin Foundation (Award Info)

This project was in collaboration with Bradley Hospital and Brown University on a study of emotional dysregulation in adolescent girls with mood and anxiety disorders. The project combined fMRI with smartwatch-based monitoring of physiological responses during daily life to assess the impact of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). 

Funding: NIH RI-Center for Clinical and Translational Science

This project was a collaboration with the Rhode Island–based company, PetRover. This project developed an intelligent, IoT-enabled robotic platform for pet interaction. Final prototypes were tested with real dogs, demonstrating practical use cases for smart pet care and monitoring.

Funding: RI Commerce Innovation Voucher

This NSF CRII project developed a cyber-infrastructure combining portable fNIRS neuroimaging and full-body motion capture to study brain-body coupling. The team created synchronized data acquisition software, visual analytics tools, and conducted experiments with healthy and Parkinson’s participants. 

Funding: National Science Foundation (Award Info)

A course focused on having teams of engineering students develop affordable wearable devices with healthcare applications. Teams of undergraduate and graduate students will participate in competitions and be encouraged to develop startups.

Funding: VentureWell (Award Info)

This was a smartwatch-based system designed to support speech therapy in people with Parkinson’s disease. It remotely monitors speech exercises at home, using wearable devices to collect and analyze voice data. This enabled real-time feedback for speech-language pathologists and encourages consistent patient engagement outside the clinical settings. 

Funding: Rhode Island Foundation (Agency Info)

This project explored a hybrid neuroimaging system combining fNIRS and EEG to monitor brain activity in Parkinson’s. It mapped cortical activation during motor tasks aligned with clinical assessments. The portable setup was designed for real-time visualization of neurovascular insights during natural movements.

Funding: Rhode Island INBRE (Agency Info)