Student Research Symposium Program Portal: Submission #230

serial: '230'
sid: '9078'
uuid: b4a56468-325d-4d32-9927-461f870039f3
uri: /student-research/symposium/research-symposium-program-portal
created: '1769832127'
completed: '1769832129'
changed: '1769832129'
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langcode: en
webform_id: research_portal
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data:
  abstract: |-
    While wearable health and activity monitoring devices are increasingly prevalent, many commercial implementations rely on proprietary and closed-source software and remain financially inaccessible to a broad user base. This project presents the design and experimental evaluation of a low-cost, open-source wearable platform that provides a modifiable and transparent foundation for wearable sensing research and educational applications.

    A custom printed circuit board (PCB) will be designed by integrating a microcontroller, inertial measurement unit (IMU), optical heart rate sensor, display, and battery management circuitry to support portable operation and charging. Embedded firmware will be developed to enable sensor data acquisition, basic signal processing, and user interaction while emphasizing modularity and reproducibility for future modification by the broader community.

    System performance will be evaluated through controlled voluntary participant tests focused on heart rate monitoring and step detection. Participants will complete walking, jogging, and running trials at treadmill speeds of 2.0 mph, 4.0 mph, and 6.0 mph. Step counts will be recorded using both the wearable system and manual observation by utilizing interrater reliability to ensure consistency of reference measurements. Heart rate data will be recorded concurrently to examine signal stability under increasing motion conditions as well as testing accuracy pre-and post tests.
  additional_research_mentor: ''
  annual_description: '5th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 17, 2025'
  co_presenters: ''
  first_name: Krieg
  i_will_be_printing_my_poster: '0'
  keywords: 'health monitoring, proprietary technology, open source technology, wearables'
  last_name: Conrad
  major: 'Krieg Conrad - Mechanical Engineering'
  poster_pdf: ''
  poster_session_number: ''
  poster_thumbnail: ''
  presentation_modality: 'Face to Face Poster session'
  pronouns: He/Him
  research_mentor: 'Twan Capehart'
  research_mentor_s_college: 'Florida State University'
  research_mentor_s_department: 'Mechanical Engineering'
  research_mentor_s_email: tcapehart@pc.fsu.edu
  student_bio: |-
    Krieg Conrad is a senior Mechanical Engineering student at Florida State University Panama City with interests in embedded systems, wearable technology, and multidisciplinary engineering design. He serves as President of the FSU Panama City Student Government Council, where he leads student-focused initiatives and manages large-scale budgets and projects.

    Krieg has professional experience in precision machining, shipbuilding, and defense-related engineering through internships with Maritech Machine Inc. and Eastern Shipbuilding Group, where he supported CAD development, system verification, and fabrication workflows for U.S. Coast Guard vessels. He has also worked as a Digital Design Studio Technician and Peer Tutor, supporting student projects in CAD, fabrication, and electronics.

    In addition to his academic work, Krieg is the Project Leader for FSU’s NASA University Student Launch Initiative (USLI) team, overseeing system design, analysis, and integration for the competition rocket. His technical interests include PCB design, sensor integration, additive manufacturing, and open-source hardware development aimed at improving accessibility and educational impact.
  student_email: kc22bq@fsu.edu
  student_photo: '72926'
  title: 'Open-Source Health Monitoring Watch Design as an Accessible and Modifiable Alternative to Proprietary Wearables'
  update_url: 'https://pc.fsu.edu/student-research/symposium/research-symposium-program-portal?element_parents=elements/student_photo&ajax_form=1&_wrapper_format=drupal_ajax&token=QYo7tUP4BQQlUQMcV2hSqfnt2CnvxNkgMdf-LynBEk4'
  work: Exploratory
  year: '2026'