[Courtesy of KAIST]
SEOUL -- Researchers at a prominent state research institute have developed a flexible and stretchable sensor that detects the strain applied on the skin to analyze changes in the movement of joints or body posture.
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) said in a statement Thursday that researchers led by professor Park in-kyu have developed a flexible and stretchable wearable sensor that can be adhered to fingers or on the back of the neck to detect body movements.
Flexible sensors are being developed around the world. However, because wearable devices such as smartwatches and smart glasses do not adhere to body parts, it is hard to accurately detect body movements or monitor body signals such as electric impulses.
"Our sensor has overcome the limitations of conventional sensors," Park was quoted as saying. He said that the new sensor can be utilized in many industries, including health care, entertainment and robotics.
KAIST's piezoresistive sensors used a macromolecule material inserted with carbon nanotubes for flexibility. The strain on the skin is detected by measuring light that passes through microscopic holes with sensors on the stretchable material. The institute said its new sensor can be adhered to the area around the mouth, joints or near arteries to read body signals.
The institute's paper was published in the March 4 issue of the ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, a scientific journal.
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