Smart sensors and spectral techniques in human movement science

Research Group

Computing, Informatics and Applications Research Group in collaboration with the Exeter Biomechanics Research Team (ExBiRT), University of Exeter

Proposed supervisory team

Dr Domenico Vicinanza

Dr Genevieve Williams (University of Exeter)

Dr Jin Zhang

Theme

Wireless sensors, data sonification, biomechanics and biomedical sciences

Summary of the research project

This research project is part of a series of activities jointly carried out by the Computing, Informatics and Applications Research Group and the Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, using smart sensors/wireless sensors and audio analysis in biomechanics and biomedical sciences.

Our approach is based on the idea of analysing human movement signals and their relations by translating them into audible waveforms and using the advance sound analysis and spectral techniques to distinguish, characterise and analyse their shapes, amplitudes and structural properties. This process is called data sonification, and one of the main tools to investigate the structure of the sound is the sonogram (sometimes also called a spectrogram). A sonogram is a visual representation of how the spectrum of a certain sound signal changes with time, and we can use sonograms to examine the phase relations between a large collection of variables without having to reduce the data. Spectral analysis is a particularly relevant tool in many scientific disciplines, for example in high-energy physics, where the interest lies in energy spectra, pattern and anomaly detections, and phase transitions.

Using a sonogram to examine the movement of multiple markers on the body in the frequency domain, we can obtain an individual and situation-specific representation of co-ordination between the major limbs, detect pattern and anomalies, and identify and study phase transitions in biomedical sciences.

Where you'll study

Cambridge

Funding

This project is self-funded.

Details of studentships for which funding is available are selected by a competitive process and are advertised on our jobs website as they become available.

Next steps

If you wish to be considered for this project, you will need to apply for our Computer and Information Science PhD. In the section of the application form entitled 'Outline research proposal', please quote the above title and include a research proposal.