This project addresses the frustration and emotional toll due to the quarantine in 2020. Also, it provides the resolution to the many of the problems people encounter such as lack of communication, lack of consistent health care, and nutritious meals based on the technologies used on NASA's astronauts.
We knew that COVID-19 had damaged the lives of many people, especially older adults. In fact, 8 out of 10 deaths reported in the U.S are adults over 65 years old. Because these people are not receiving enough service during this time, their physical and mental health falter as a result. We looked for ways to better the lives of the senior citizens by what types of technology NASA implements for the health of their astronauts who live in isolation during extended missions.
First, The left device in the drawing shows the 3D printer for the insertion of nutrients into food. SMRC plans to develop a 3D printing technology with inkjet, which will deliver micronutrients, flavor, and smell to the bland space food that only contains macronutrients. This will be especially beneficial to NASA's astronauts that don't have access to food for long periods of time because it provides long-term storage and variety. We believe that this technology can be modified to fit the needs of older adults that live in isolation and don't have the heath or money to shop frequently for healthy, perishable foods.
Second, the screen on the right detects the heart beat and the sleep schedule of the older woman in the drawing. If astronauts are isolated for a long period of time, they are susceptible to stress-related mental disorders. To prevent this, NASA has a system that will track the astronaut's behavioral patterns to detect chronic stress, hyperarousal, and insomnia to prevent people's mental health from deteriorating. Because of COVID-19, many senior citizens that don't live with other family members experience lack of communication that can lead to depression. With this system, their mental health can be consistently checked without face-to-face interactions.
Not only mental, but also physical health is very important. So lastly, the woman wears "smart-clothing" which enables her to be aware of her physical health and her environment. NASA produced a light, washable, and wearable health monitoring system for their astronauts. This allows each astronaut to carry an electronic sensors such as "thermometers, gas monitors, microphones, altimeters, digital processors, digital memory, and push-button controls" and share information about their health and surroundings with others. If properly modified, people in isolation will be able to consistently check their physical health and communicate with medical experts without having to go to the hospital.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1dqikC-Rjh7voDBhQD1gR-HBibpTds6M6PnqWgHfhWvE/edit?usp=sharing
https://data.nasa.gov/dataset/Wearable-Health-Monitoring-Systems-Phase-I/pd8t-f28p
https://data.nasa.gov/dataset/Individualized-Stress-Detection-System-Phase-I/t8xw-fiua
https://data.nasa.gov/dataset/3D-Printed-Food-System-for-Long-Duration-Space-Mis/j7rs-xqnn
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/older-adults.html