Graphene can be used to make wearable strain sensors to monitor vital signs

It has been shown before (here, and here for example) that graphene can make excellent highly sensitive strain sensors. One of the applications is human health evaluation via physiological motion detection and now researchers from two universities in China developed a method that uses graphene based sensors to monitor human motions.

The researchers developed simple-structured and low-cost graphene woven fabrics (GWFs) strain sensor. The GWFs were made using CVD to grow graphene on crisscross copper meshes. The copper mash was later etched away and the graphene fabric was transferred to a pretreated film composited with medical tape and PDMS glue, which is a flexible, biocompatible, shape controllable material. Silver wires were used to connect the graphene.

When used as a human motion sensor, the signals of GWFs resistance change depend on deformation strain which is formed by the motions. The stronger the motion is, the larger the strain is, and the easier the motion signals can be recorded.

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Posted: May 01,2014 by Ron Mertens