Introduction
Recently, engineers from the University of Washington transformed facial tissue (similar to toilet paper) into a new wearable sensor that can detect pulse, blink and other types of human movement. The sensor is lightweight, soft and cheap, and can be used in areas such as healthcare, entertainment and robotics.
Background
Nowadays, various wearable products appear in our field of vision, such as: smart fabrics, smart skins, smart bracelets, smart watches, smart patches, smart gloves, etc. Wearable technology is not only conducive to life and entertainment, but can also be used in many aspects such as health monitoring, exercise monitoring, and environmental monitoring. From the author's previous introduction to wearable technology, it is not difficult to find that the development of wearable technology is showing trends such as self-power supply, flexibility, low cost, and easy manufacturing.
Innovation
Today, the author will introduce another innovative achievement in wearable technology. Recently, engineers at the University of Washington transformed facial tissue (similar to toilet paper) into a new wearable sensor that can detect pulses, blinks and other types of human movements. The sensor is lightweight, soft and cheap, and can be used in areas such as healthcare, entertainment and robotics.
The paper on this technology was published in the January journal Advanced Materials Technologies. Now that the study has passed experiments, the researchers hope to find a suitable commercial approach. In December 2017, the study had filed for a provisional patent.
technology
In the paper, scientists demonstrated that by tearing open a tissue paper with nanocomposites and breaking the fibers of the paper, the paper can work like a sensor. It can detect heartbeat, finger strength, finger movement, eye movement, and more, among others, according to senior author Jae-Hyun Chung, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington.
(Image source: Dennis R. Wise / University of Washington)
(Image source: Dennis R. Wise / University of Washington)
In the study, scientists used tissues similar to toilet paper, which are no different from traditional kitchen tissues. Then, the paper towel was poured with water mixed with carbon nanotubes . Carbon nanotubes are micro-materials that can conduct electricity. Each tissue has horizontal and vertical fibers, so when the paper is torn apart, the direction of the crack indicates what is happening to the sensor. To track eye movements, they are attached to glasses .
(Image source: Dennis R. Wise / University of Washington)
Value
Chung said: "The biggest innovation is this disposable wearable sensor made of cheap facial tissue. When we tear the sample, it can work like a sensor."
These small Bondi Band-Aid-style sensors can be used in a range of fields. For example, monitor a person's gait or eye movement to observe brain function or game player's activities. This sensor can also be used to test children who need special care at home, avoiding going to the hospital for testing.
Chung said: "They can use these sensors and they can be discarded after a single use."
Keywords
Robots, wearable technology, sensors
Reference
【1】http://www.washington.edu/news/2018/02/12/tissue-paper-sensors-show-promise-for-health-care-entertainment-robotics/
【2】Jinyuan Zhang, Gil-Yong Lee, Chiew Cerwyn, Jinkyu Yang, Fabrice Fondjo, Jong-Hoon Kim, Minoru Taya, Dayong Gao, Jae-Hyun Chung. Fracture-Induced Mechanoelectric Sensitivities of Paper-Based Nanocomposites. Advanced Materials Technologies, 2018; 1700266 DOI: 10.1002/admt.201700266
