Bursa Technical University (BTU) will contribute to the EU-funded MORPHEUS project by developing innovative, bio-based polymer materials for a wearable biosensor platform. The technology aims to monitor patients’ vital signs through a single wearable system, reducing the need for multiple sensors and cables while improving patient comfort and supporting more efficient monitoring by healthcare professionals.

Bursa Technical University (BTU) has joined MORPHEUS (MOdular Reconfigurable Platform for Health and Environmental Universal Sensing), an international research project supported by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme. BTU is one of 14 international partners in the four-year project, which will develop a next-generation biosensor platform for monitoring health and environmental conditions.

At BTU, the project is led by Prof. Dr. Ayşe Bedeloğlu from the Department of Polymer Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences. The university’s research team also includes Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yasin Altın and Assist. Prof. Dr. Ömer Faruk Ünsal. Prof. Dr. İsmet Kaya from Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University will also contribute to the project as a researcher. The project is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Teresa Gatti from Politecnico di Torino (POLITO), Italy.

A New Approach to Health Monitoring

Monitoring patients who require intensive care or continuous observation often involves multiple sensors and cables to track vital signs such as heart rate, respiration and body temperature. These systems can restrict patients’ movement and make monitoring more demanding for healthcare professionals.

MORPHEUS aims to bring different sensors together in a single, flexible, wearable platform, enabling patients’ health data to be monitored continuously and in real time through one integrated system. The platform will also be capable of measuring environmental conditions, such as air quality, when needed.

By reducing cable clutter in hospitals, the technology aims to improve patient comfort and make monitoring more efficient for healthcare staff.

BTU to Develop the Platform’s Core Material

BTU will focus on developing a specialised polymer material that will form the foundation of the biosensor platform. Rather than relying on conventional plastics, the team will use bio-based raw materials to produce a material designed to be flexible, durable and compatible with the human body.

The material is also intended to support the development of more sustainable technologies through its environmentally conscious design. Once developed at BTU, it will be integrated with sensors and electronic components by the project partners to create a functional platform.

Prof. Dr. Bedeloğlu: “We Will Develop the Materials at the Heart of the Technology”

Explaining BTU’s contribution to the project, Prof. Dr. Ayşe Bedeloğlu highlighted the role of bio-based polymers in the development of the wearable biosensor platform.

“We will develop next-generation polymers from bio-based raw materials to meet the requirements of a wearable biosensor platform. These materials will help make the platform flexible, durable and compatible with the human body. At Bursa Technical University, we will work with our international partners to turn our expertise in materials development into an innovative healthcare technology.”

Rector Çağlar: “Another Milestone in Our International Research Success”

Congratulating the project team, BTU Rector Prof. Dr. Naci Çağlar emphasised the university’s growing involvement in international research projects.

“In line with our vision as a research-oriented university, we continue to lead projects that generate knowledge and translate it into tangible benefits for society. BTU’s participation in the Horizon Europe-funded MORPHEUS project demonstrates the international expertise of our academics. Through the innovative materials we develop, our university will continue to contribute to scientific progress and to technologies that can make everyday life easier.”