Wearable Strain Sensor

Appears to be a new method, brought to my attention by a colleague looking at new sensors. Note implications beyond healthcare.   Image at the link.

Wearable Strain Sensor Using Light Transmittance Helps Measure Physical Signals Better
By KAIST College of Engineering in CACM

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology researchers have developed a wearable strain sensor that can complete sensitive, stable, continuous measurements of physical signals.

Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have developed a wearable strain sensor based on the modulation of optical transmittance of a carbon nanotube (CNT)-embedded elastomer.

The sensor can complete sensitive, stable, and continuous measurements of physical signals.

The optical strain sensor is based on the light transmittance changes of a CNT-embedded elastomer; the technology addresses the low sensitivity problem of conventional optical stretchable strain sensors.

Said KAIST's Inkyu Park, "Our group developed a new wearable strain sensor platform that overcomes many limitations of previously developed resistive, capacitive, and optical-type stretchable strain sensors. Our sensor could be widely used in a variety of fields, including soft robotics, wearable electronics, electric skin, healthcare, and even entertainment."

From KAIST College of Engineering  ...