Heat stress from exposure to extreme temperatures is an occupational hazard for firefighters and may put them at risk for cardiovascular disease. In response to this health concern, Heeju Park, associate professor in the Department of Human Centered Design is designing smart fire-gear that monitors heat stroke risk and cardiovascular malfunction through textile-friendly sensors and on-skin cooling technology.

Park shared his research and teaching at the intersection of design, technology, safety, and well-being at the first Cornell Design Tech lecture of the semester. Cornell Design Tech is a new multi-college department where Park is also an associate professor. The interdisciplinary department explores design research, technological innovation, scholarship, and collaboration across disciplinary boundaries in science, engineering, and design.

Clothing has an intimate connection with our body providing a vehicle for health and wellness interventions. For example, a sneaker insole that monitors gait. Toe walking is a common trait in children with developmental disorders. Park’s team designed an RFID that fits into a shoe insert and alerts the wearer and caregiver when a child toe-walks to help correct the behavior.

Designing wearable technology also presents challenges as sensors must move comfortably and in harmony with natural body movements as well as offer durability and ease-of-care. Park’s team has developed smart bio-sensing garments that incorporate flexible photonic sensors that can be calibrated by computerized embroidery into daily clothing.

Utilizing data-driven design including CT imaging and respiration testing, Park, together with additional faculty-members and graduate students in the Department of Human Centered Design have been improving face mask design for children. Most commercially available masks are designed for an adult face and respiration rate. Young children, ages 3-6, have a higher respiration rate than adults making the typical facemask less breathable for kids.

Park developed Smart Clothing: Design and Programming (FSAD 3990), a project-based course where students collaborate to develop wearable interfaces. The course brings together designers and engineers to solve real-world design challenges.

Looking forward, Park sees humans and assistive robots working together in factories to solve global problems safely and sustainability.