Joseph Lacirignola

Distributed multi-modal sensor system for searching a foliage-covered region

We designed and constructed a system that includes aircraft, ground vehicles, and throwable sensors to search a semi-forested region that was partially covered by foliage. The system contained 4 radio-controlled (RC) trucks, 2 aircraft, and 30 SensorMotes (throwable sensors). We also investigated communications links, search strategies, and system architecture. Our system is designed to be low-cost, contain a variety of sensors, and distributed so that the system is robust even if individual components are lost.

Instrumented footwear inserts: A new tool for measuring forces and biomechanical state changes during dynamic movements

Lower-limb musculoskeletal injuries are a pervasive problem in the population and military, especially during basic training where load bearing bones and joints are repeatedly subjected to aggressive movements and high forces. The ability to measure these elements is critical to acquisition decisions affecting or influencing cumulative load carriage of the individual Marine/Warfighter. These data might also serve as a critical enabler for prevention of training injuries and development of more quantitative training procedures that focus on mobility and agility. It has been inherently difficult to acquire this data outside of the laboratory in a robust and repeatable way. Herein, we report the construction and testing of a measurement system packaged within a shoe insert that is capable of measuring forces, accelerations, rotations and elevation changes. The ability to take these measurements in a mobile system facilitates new environments to monitor complex biomechanical actions without compromising natural gait rhythms. This can result in new methods for monitoring changes to gait and also help with rehabilitation strategies.

Multimodal biometric collection and evaluation architecture

The size and scope of standoff multimodal biometric datasets can be increased through the adoption of a common architecture to collect, describe, archive, and analyze subject traits. The Extendable Multimodal Biometric Evaluation Range (EMBER) system developed by MIT Lincoln Laboratory is a field-ready, easily adaptable architecture to streamline collections requiring multiple biometric devices in environments of interest. Its data architecture includes a fully featured metadata-rich relational database that supports the aggregation of biometric data collected with proliferated systems into a single corpus for analytical use.

Wearable oximetry for harsh environments

A wearable oximeter is needed to help people safely perform missions in environmental extremes. Key initial needs are to monitor for hypoxemia at high altitudes, and to monitor for shock in the event of trauma and hemorrhage. An initial investigation has been performed to assess design parameters for a wearable oximeter. Initial data was collected to assess the forehead, manubrium, and xiphoid process as wear locations; to assess required power; and to characterize the types and significance of motion artifacts that will need to be mitigated. The forehead was confirmed to be an excellent site with respect to signal quality, but signal corruption from changes in contact pressure will need to be mitigated. The sternal locations are initially assessed to be more challenging, likely requiring more power and site-specific motion artifact mitigation.