avant
+guard
pocket your health. shield your body.
The team
Our multidisciplinary knowledge base.
Chrisoula Kapelonis
Architecture Harvard GSD ‘16
Hope Ndhlovu
Electrical Engineering ‘16
Kristen Faulkner
Computer Science ‘16
Melissa Chang
Molecular + Cellular Biology ‘15
Jana Masset
Architecture Harvard GSD ‘16
Kuriakin Zeng
Computer Science ‘15
The problem Infectious diseases, illnesses caused by external and preventable forces, kill over 17 million people annually; more than any other cause of death worldwide.
what’s wrong? Existing methods addressing the problem.
Cure, not prevention.
Lag in drug design.
Doctor dependency.
WHere is the problem? The world of pathogens.
IN OUR BODIES
ON OUR BODIES
ON OBJECTS AROUND US
Nose, mouth, infection.
Clothes, skin, hands.
Surfaces
our solution We propose that we proactively shield the body from harmful pathogens to augment the body’s immune system such that (1) we do not get sick, and (2) we do not get others sick. We are utilizing the pocket as a surface of impact.
OUR APPROACH How we will address the problem
Fortify existing system.
Preventative approach.
Invisibility.
why it matters
Prevention of infectious disease is more important than cure. In protecting yourself, you are protecting the source of infection; person to person transfer.
PORTALS OF ENTRY In identifying the body’s weakest points of defense and preventing the invasion of the pathogen, we’ve found three major portals of entry by pathogens.
THE BODY AND ITS SEAL The vulnerability of the body.
NOSE
MOUTH
BREAK IN SKIN
Respiratory tract mucous membranes:
Gastrointestinal tract mucous membranes
Parenteral route
Current solutions The current landscape of infection prevention.
MEDICINE + VACCINES
MASKS
SANITIZERS
Lag in development time, and obsolete for mutation
Social stigma associated with wearability.
Can build up pathogen resistance to poisons in product.
POSSIBLE ITERATIONS
MATERIAL INNOVATION Designing interfaces between machine and body requires a deep understanding of surfaces, as the body interacts with surfaces on a regular basis, and the body itself is a surface.
ANTIMICROBIAL SURFACES Examples of innovation addressing the problem.
METALLIC IONS
MECHANICAL DISRUPTION
SUPERHYDROPHOBICITY
Prevent growth and kill pathogens on contact.
Rip outer membrane of pathogens when they attach
Don’t allow pathogens to stick to surface.
OLIGODYNAMIC EFFECT How ions kill the pathogen.
1. Silver ions break through the cell wall.
2. Silver ions disrupt respiration. 3. Silver ions attach to the DNA of the microbe and stop cell replication.
MATERIAL PERFORMANCE How it affects the pathogen.
Nose STERILIZATION
Mouth SUFFOCATION
Break in Skin
STARVATION
Prevents cell reproduction.
Inhibits membrane transport.
Interrupts cell metabolism.
EXISTING PRODUCTS Current innovations utilizing technology.
COLLOIDAL SILVER
FOSSHIELD
MICROBAN
Wound dressings, creams, and antibiotic coating.
Silver and copper ions woven in fabric.
Used on toilet handles.
WEARABLES Designing interfaces between machine and body requires a deep understanding of surfaces, as the body interacts with surfaces on a regular basis, and the body itself is a surface.
HANDS AND THE SEAL How hands transfer pathogens.
SURFACE CONTACT
OTHER PEOPLE
NOSE/MOUTH
Hands touch surfaces that pathogens stick to.
Hand contact transfers pathogens between people
Pathogens leave the nose and mouth onto the hand.
the users
An array of possible user types.
designer
builder
pharma
airline
edu
tech
medical
business
police
childcare
food
bar
cleaning
fashion
POCKETS AND THEIR CONTACT What pockets come into contact with.
ENTIRE HAND
ELECTRONICS
LOOSE ITEMS
COMMON WEARABLES What we’re comfortable with.
scarf
gloves
Cold weather
coat
hat
shirt
pants
All weather
shoes
pocket sites Where pockets exist.
formal everyday
sweater
sweatshirt
professional
blazer
coat
suit scrubs
t-shirt
button down
backpack
dress
shorts
sweatpants
pants
skirt
briefcase
pocket iterations Multi-usage capabilities
handkerchief
mask
towel
pocket square
hair tie
LOOKING AHEAD In order to pursue our questions, we need to seek out strategies for pushing the process in a direction of impact. These are our short term goals.
SUMMER IDEATION Our short term plans.
NETWORKING
FABRICATION + PROTOTYPES
USER TESTING
NETWORKING
We are going to consult and network with medical professionals and fashion representatives such as Hermes, Estee Lauder, etc.
PROTOTYPING
Rapid iterating of pocket types to understand formal expression, and interaction with current wearables and clothing.
USER TESTING
We will test the comfortablility of material, formal and behavioral characteristics, as well as how people feel using this in public.
SHIELD YOURSELF +guard avant TIME TO BE