Nigerian Engineer Invents Smart Bra to Detect Breast Cancer

Nigerian robotics and embedded systems engineer, Kemisola Bolarinwa, has invented a smart bra capable of diagnosing early-stage breast cancer before symptoms develop.

The invention was spurred by the death of her aunt in 2017, which prompted Bolarinwa to intensify her research into the field of breast cancer detection.

Bolarinwa, the founder and CEO of Nextwear Technologies, Nigeria’s first wearable technology startup, spent a year and a half of intense research before the smart bra came to fruition in 2019.

The smart bra repurposes ultrasound technology into a small form factor using nanotechnology, allowing it to detect lumps in the breast.

The smart bra uses an ultrasound system called the Doppler, which bounces high-frequency sound waves off the body to detect blood clots, heart defects, and blocked arteries.

This is different from ultrasound machines that use sound waves to generate images of the scanned area.

While the smart bra has been recognized by BBC Africa, Bolarinwa acknowledges that there is still a lot of work to be done before it can be commercialized.

She estimates that the smart bra could be ready for mass production between the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, following further development and extensive clinical trials.

In addition to her work as an inventor, Bolarinwa is also a strong advocate for getting more women interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

She holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering from the University of Ado-Ekiti (now Ekiti State University) and has more than 10 years of experience in the field.

As the president of the Women In ICT Foundation, Bolarinwa is dedicated to providing technology education, leadership, and business opportunities for women and young girls.

However, she laments the lack of research organizations in Nigeria to support inventors like herself.

Despite the challenges, Bolarinwa’s invention of the smart bra is a significant step forward in the early detection of breast cancer and could potentially save countless lives.

Her work highlights the importance of supporting and funding research and inventions in Nigeria and around the world.