DHO YEE CHUNG
dhoyee.chung@icloud.com

CV
Research

Pulse to Light:  A Wearable for Emotional Liberation #Arduino #EmotionRegulation  #Biofeedback #HeartRateSensor
#FiberOptics #EmotionRegulation #Mindfulness #WearableEmotional stoicism is a practice of self-control and enduring hardship without outward complaints. It is highly valued in Asian cultures, which prioritize interpersonal harmony in collectives over individualism. While it worked as a coping mechanism for colonization and brutal poverty, the generational cycle of emotional suppression is toxic for the mental health of Asians in the modern context. Asians are culturally trained to control their emotion more quickly. Research shows that Asians lower their heart rates faster than European Americans, whose culture places a higher value on emotional expression. Suppressing emotions without understanding or managing them can result in diminished memory, interpersonal difficulties, and major mood disorders on a personal level, but also intergenerational issues due to the lack of communication within the family. 

In this respect, my wearable project, Pulse to Light, is designed to help Asians or even a larger scope of emotional disorder patients, to acknowledge and process their emotions in a healthier and positive way. It features a biofeedback system that operates in real time, responding adaptively to the wearer’s specific mental condition and heart rate phases. A heart-rate sensor detects a rising BPM and sends a signal to a wearer to keep them being aware of their emotions and body’s reactions. Optic fibers planted on its surface transmit LED light signals in various rhythms and patterns designed to induce emotional regulation strategies, including the detection of an emotion, cognitive change, and the expression of an emotion. The LED color schemes shift the hues and intensity of light to promote emotional balance and lead to mindful breathing. This project aims to help the wearer comfortably face their emotions and express themselves with confidence.



Flowchart

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Wearable Structure

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Process

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