Wearables Battery-Free Health Sensor Could Transform Dementia Care and Prevent Stillbirths

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University of Surrey

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A revolutionary self-powered health sensor developed by University of Surrey spin-out Z-Pulse is set to transform dementia care and maternity monitoring — with the potential to prevent thousands of stillbirths each year.

University of Surrey spin-out Z-Pulse has secured funding to fast-track the commercialisation of its self-powered wearable health sensors, which aims to transform dementia care and could potentially prevent thousands of stillbirths each year.

The Self-Powered Tribo-Electric Pressure Sensor (Steps 1.0) allows for the advanced remote monitoring of essential indicators such as breathing patterns, bed occupancy, foetal movements during pregnancy and pressure distribution to avoid bedsores. Making use of mechanical energy from natural movement, Steps 1.0 operates without the need for batteries or external charging, offering a scalable, cost-effective alternative to existing monitoring systems.

With 265,000 pound funding from Innovate UK, Z-Pulse is now working with the Surrey Sleep Research Centre, Kymira, and Milbotix to use Steps 1.0 in real-world healthcare settings. Applications under development include continuous, real-time monitoring of sleep patterns, breathing and movement in dementia patients. Partners are also incorporating Steps 1.0 into a wearable belt that can detect foetal movements — with hopes of preventing up to 3400 stillbirths annually in the UK.

Dr Bhaskar Dudem, Chief Technology Officer and Founder of Z-Pulse, and Research Fellow at the University of Surrey’s Advanced Technology Institute, said: “This funding is a significant milestone for Z-Pulse, allowing us to move from lab-based research to having a real-world impact. By eliminating the need for external power sources, Steps 1.0 ensures uninterrupted, real-time health monitoring for critical conditions like dementia and foetal health. The validation from leading research partners strengthens our path to commercialisation.”

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Professor Ravi Silva, Director of Surrey’s Advanced Technology Institute (ATI), added: “Our self-powered sensor technology has the potential to redefine wearable healthcare, making continuous monitoring effortless and accessible. It has many applications in a modern society, where the Gen-Z population can be linked seamlessly and remotely to everyday activities of loved ones and those under their care without having wired links or battery-operated sensors. We are testing prototypes in a dementia care setting, that includes monitoring sleep and physiological parameters. The ATI at Surrey has been delivering real-world tech solutions for more than two decades.”

Dr Jim Shaikh is the Managing Director of Innovate Surrey, which was established to bridge the gap between the research happening at the University and real-world applications. He said: “Z-Pulse’s wearable healthcare technology is a fantastic example of how we support innovation to move from the lab to everyday life, improving healthcare outcomes and supporting economic growth. We’re proud to support exciting ventures like Z-Pulse that have the potential to make a real difference in society and even save lives.”

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