• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

University of Tennessee Research Foundation

Technology Transfer & Licensing

  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Foundation History & Details
    • Student Opportunities
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • UTRF Staff
    • Projects & Partners
  • Technologies
    • Available Technologies
    • Express Licensing
  • For Innovators
    • UT Research Foundation Accelerate Fund
    • Resources
    • IDEA Tutorial & Manuals
    • Technology Transfer Process
    • Business Incubator
    • UTRF Technology Maturation Grant Funding
  • Industry
    • Industry Partnerships
    • Agreement Examples
  • Media
    • News
    • Newsletters
    • Tech Talks
    • Annual Reports
  • Contact

BioFace-3D: Continuous 3D Facial Reconstruction and User Authentication Through Single Earpiece Biosensor​

The Problem

Camera based facial expression analysis requires users to be confined to a particular location and face a camera, hindering their practicality when the user is in motion or in poor lighting conditions. Moreover, traditional VR authentication schemes are not only inconvenient but also vulnerable to potential side-channel attacks.​

The Solution

Researchers at the University of Tennessee and University of Texas, Arlington, have designed a single earpiece biosensor that can continuously and reliably sense facial movement, track 2D facial landmarks, and render 3D facial animations without visual input. Additionally, the technology is also capable of capturing both behavioral aspects, such as facial gestures, and physiological traits for two-factor authentication. This technology accurately identifies 53 facial landmarks with minimal error.

It delivers seamless, continuous 3D facial rendering and convenient authentication, resulting in a captivating virtual reality experience. This technology can be used for improved VR/AR human computer interaction, user authentication, smart home, and disability equipment integration.​

Benefits

Benefit
Unobtrusive, continuous, and reliable sensing without visual inputs​
Tracks entire facial movement and 2D facial landmarks​
Renders smooth and continuous 3D facial animations​
Lightweight single earpiece design​
53 major facial landmarks recognized with low error rate​
Incorporating user authentication alongside facial tracking​

More Information

  • Gregory Sechrist, JD
  • Technology Manager, Multi Campus Office
  • 865-974-1882 | gsechris@tennessee.edu
  • UTRF Reference ID: 22046
  • Patent Status: Patent Pending

Innovators

Dr. Jian Liu

Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Tennessee​

Dr. Liu is the director of the Mobile Sensing and Intelligence Security (MoSIS) Lab at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His research focuses on robust and trustworthy AI, computational sensing, system security, and smart healthcare. ​

Read more about Dr. Jian Liu

Dr. VP Nguyen

Assistant Professor; Director, Wireless & Sensor Systems Laboratory, College of Information & Computer Sciences, Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Dr. Nguyen is the director of the Wireless and Sensor Systems Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His research interests are mobile/wearable computing, wireless networking, and embedded systems. He previously worked at UT Arlington.​

Read more about Dr. VP Nguyen

Footer

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Multi Campus Office

400 W. Summit Hill Drive
UT Tower 961A
Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: 865-974-1882

Health Science Center

UT Health Science Center
910 Madison Avenue, Suite 827
Memphis, TN 38163
Phone: 901-448-7827


Copyright © 2025


University of Tennessee Campuses & Institutes

  • UT Knoxville
  • UT Knoxville
  • UT Chattanooga
  • UT Chattanooga
  • UT Southern
  • UT Southern
  • UT Martin
  • UT Martin
  • UT Health Science Center
  • UT Health Science Center
  • UT Institute of Agriculture
  • UT Institute of Agriculture
  • UT Institute for Public Service
  • UT Institute for Public Service
  • UT Alumni Association
  • UT Alumni Association
  • UT Foundation
  • UT Foundation
  • UT Research Park
  • UT Research Park
X