Seed Sensor
2011-ongoing
In collaboration with Dr. Paul Beckett

The Seed Sensor project is a design and technology collaboration which focuses on the development of unique ways to harness and use medical data gathered from the body. The ‘Seed Sensor’ is a swallowable device that detects gas fluctuations within the body (methane, carbon dioxide etc.) that may be an indicator of undiagnosed disease. The seed has a dissolvable coating and unfurls within the digestive system to take readings.

There are three areas of design research that are key to the development of the Seed Sensor project: Surface research, Biological systems research, and modelling and rapid prototyping. The Seed Sensor needs to ‘slow down’ intermittently within the intestine to take and transmit readings. Thus the project involves developing material knowledge in areas of shape change metals and polymers; smart textiles; nano-materials; and naturally occurring grip systems (e.g. lizard feet).

Early conceptual models investigating possible seed sensor forms.
Latex model and photography by Simon Lowther

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