Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Sleep is an indispensable part in life which affects directly the physical and spiritual health. Sleep deprivationhas been proved to increase heart diseases, diabetes but also anxiety and depression. However, studies showedthat more than 60 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders. Current mattresses provide comfortby supporting adequately body but do not address issues of thermoregulation or bio-monitoring during thesleep. In order to tackle these new challenges, Riley's would like to development a first prototype of a newgeneration mattresses. The innovative mattress would be coated with phase change materials (PCMs) to offerthermoregulation and prevent from excessive sweating overnight. In addition, sensors would be embedded intothe mattress to provide non-invasive bio-monitoring which will increase the feeling of safety especially for theelderly. Finally, the sensors would be able to trigger lighting when the person would get out of the bed toreduce risks of tripping or falling.The work to be undertaken will include a first phase of identification of suitable materials for each function.They would be, then, characterised to evaluate their performance regarding the requirements. Once decisionshave been made, the materials would be integrated and assembled together to create the prototype. Apreliminary performance evaluation would allow verifying whether or not each function is active. This projectwill be the result of a new alliance between CTT Group, St-Hyacinthe Cegep and Riley's since they will beworking together for the first time. Canada's expertise and presence would be strengthened in smart textiles butalso in the bedding area which has been lacking innovation during these past few years.