The wearable revolution that we’ve been promised seems to be at a stall, with all the crazy gadgets like electronic tattoos, bio-implants, and smart contact lenses firmly staying in science-fiction territory. A new discovery by researchers at Zhengzhou University and Peking University in China could spice up things a bit, though. They have developed a stretchable and compressible sensor that can lead to new types of wearable electronic devices, Tech Xplore reports.
The scientists used carbon nanofiber powder and hydrogel to create the sensor. By combining the excellent conductive properties of the carbon powder with the elasticity of the hydrogel, they were able to produce a material that can be stretched more than 3 times its length (366%) and compressed by up to 70%. The carbon nanofiber powder also contributed to the mechanical strength of the sensor, while the biodegradable hydrogel allowed it to keep its flexible properties.
Having a material that can stretch and flex and still be highly conductive is a perfect platform for developing a wide variety of wearable electronics. Placed on the skin at different spots on a human body, the sensor can register strain and pressure, thus performing different measurements. It can detect swallowing when it’s on a person’s throat, bending of the knees or elbows, finger movements, and breathing. The sensor can also accurately register touches and presses even when stretched by 100%.
What’s even more encouraging is that the whole process of creating the hydrogel-carbon sensor is easily scalable, which in practice means that the sensor will be cheap to mass-produce. It has a wide array of potential applications - from tracking athlete performance to helping people with medical conditions keep an eye on their stats. Integrating the strain sensor into current wearables won’t be an easy feat, though. Nevertheless, it could find its place in highly specialized medical and professional athlete devices.
Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.
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