UNF engineering students develop groundbreaking technology to detect traumatic brain injuries in sports

A team of University of North Florida mechanical engineering students is breaking new ground in sports safety with the development of an innovative, low-cost sensor designed to detect traumatic brain injuries.  

Under the mentorship of Dr. Christopher Oshman, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, UNF undergraduate students Bridget Dunn, Abby Kuba, Ethan Lowe and graduate student Gabriel Pesek are developing a passive, fluidic inertial sensor that could change the way concussions are identified in athletes. Their research, conducted at the UNF Thermal Fluids Application Lab within the College of Computing, Engineering & Construction, is supported by the MedNexus Research Innovation Fund.  

Traumatic brain injuries are a major concern in sports, particularly for young athletes engaged in high-contact sports such as football, soccer and even horseback riding. These injuries often go undetected, increasing the risk of long-term neurological damage. While most professional and collegiate athletes have access to advanced concussion-detection systems, these technologies are often too expensive for high school and youth sports programs.  

“Current systems are great, but they are costly and out of reach for many sports programs,” Oshman explained. “Our goal is to provide a solution that’s affordable for every athlete at all levels, regardless of their resources.”   

Recognizing this cost gap, the student team was inspired to create a solution that would offer affordable, accessible and accurate concussion detection. The goal is to develop a device as simple as a bandage that can be worn by athletes to detect possible brain injuries.  

The fluidic inertial sensors developed by the UNF team are designed to detect sudden accelerations caused by head impacts, which may lead to concussions. Unlike traditional telemetric systems that require expensive electronics and external power sources, these sensors work passively, making them a low-cost, energy-efficient alternative. The sensors can be integrated into existing sports gear, such as helmets or headbands, and can alert coaches and medical staff when an athlete has experienced an impact that may require further evaluation.  

From conceptual design to prototyping and testing, the UNF students are leading every aspect of the project. They are not only applying their mechanical engineering expertise but also collaborating across disciplines to bring the technology to life.  

"Being part of this research has been an incredible opportunity to apply engineering in a real-world setting,” said Kuba. “Seeing our ideas take shape through design and testing is especially rewarding, knowing our work could make a real impact on athlete safety.”  

Their work is strengthened by collaborations with Dr. Lindsay Toth, associate professor clinical and applied movement; Dr. Juan Aceros, associate professor electrical engineering; and Dr. Grant Bevill, associate professor mechanical engineering; ensuring the technology is both effective and practical for real-world application.  

Currently in the testing phase, the team is fine-tuning their design and conducting trials to ensure reliability and effectiveness. Although the MedNexus Research Innovation Fund concludes this May, the students remain committed to pushing their innovation forward, with hopes of delivering a working prototype by the end of the year.