Nagpur: A wearable device that can analyse heart signals to identify possible stress may soon move beyond a research concept, thanks to an innovative project developed by postgraduate mathematics students at Nagpur University (NU).The research uses a combination of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) analysis and a mathematical technique known as fractal analysis to detect patterns associated with stress from ECG data. The system, titled ‘System and Method for Stress Detection in Wearable Device Using Hybrid HRV-Fractal Feature,’ has been published by the Indian Patent Office.The project was developed by postgraduate mathematics students Gauri Mukesh Jhade and Babita Shalikram Gaydhane under the guidance of Mathematics Department head Ganesh Kedar and faculty member Zarina Joya.The work explores how mathematical tools can be applied to physiological data generated by wearable technology. HRV refers to the variation in the time interval between successive heartbeats and is widely used as an indicator of changes in the body’s autonomic nervous system. Stress can influence these patterns, and the researchers have attempted to strengthen their analysis by incorporating fractal methods, which are used to study complex and irregular patterns.The proposed system could potentially allow compatible smart devices to process ECG-related data and identify stress-linked changes without relying solely on conventional clinical monitoring setups.The research, however, represents a technology and analytical approach rather than a replacement for medical diagnosis, and further validation would be required before any clinical application.The project is also an example of how mathematics is increasingly finding applications beyond conventional theoretical research. Techniques involving pattern recognition, data analysis and mathematical modelling are becoming important in areas ranging from health technology to artificial intelligence and wearable electronics.NU said its Mathematics Department has been encouraging students to combine research-oriented learning with emerging technologies and explore ways in which mathematical concepts can be translated into practical applications.NU officials congratulated the students on the publication of their patent-related research project.
