New ‘MiEye’ sensor helps improve night time habits and health conditions
MONASH University researchers have introduced the ‘MiEye’ sensor, a pioneering wearable device that monitors the effects of artificial light on the human body.
This innovation is set to enhance sleep quality, mental well-being, and the management of chronic health conditions by providing real-time feedback on light exposure.
Developed by circadian biology experts Professor Sean Cain and Associate Professor Andrew Phillips from Monash’s Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, the MiEye sensor is a compact device, about the size of a 20-cent piece.
It detects light across 11 channels, capturing data from various sources such as fluorescent lights, LED screens, and natural sunlight. This information is then transmitted to a smartphone app, which analyses how the light affects the user’s body clock.
“Light behaviour is fundamental to all aspects of our health,” explained Professor Cain. “By providing feedback on light environments, we aim to raise awareness of light exposure and guide people toward healthier patterns.”
The MiEye sensor is designed to help regulate circadian rhythms, making it a valuable tool for managing health conditions like type 2 diabetes, mental health disorders, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. By promoting better light exposure habits, the device can contribute to overall health and longevity.
The sensor’s development was a collaborative effort. Professor Jon McCormack, Elliott Wilson, and Dr Rowan Page from SensiLab—a joint initiative between Monash’s Faculty of Information Technology and the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture— worked on making MiEye a wearable and commercially viable product.
SensiLab engineers focused on designing the device to be as small and lightweight as possible, while still incorporating advanced sensors.
Currently, the MiEye sensor is available to select researchers, with plans for wider distribution to clinicians and researchers by 2025. Circadian Health Innovations, the spin-off company founded by the lead researchers, aims to eventually offer MiEye to the general public. This will allow individuals to manage their light exposure more effectively, particularly those who are frequent travellers or shift workers.
The MiEye sensor has already garnered recognition, winning the 2022 Australian Good Design award in the ‘Design Research’ category.
The project was funded by the Monash Institute of Medical Engineering, with Monash Innovation playing a key role in its commercialisation. “This device exemplifies the synergy between high-quality research and enterprise, resulting in tangible health benefits for the community,” said Dr Alastair Hick, Monash Innovation’s Chief Commercialisation Officer.