Graphene-enhanced pants to help the disabled with their mobility

Researchers at the University of Bristol are developing graphene-enabled ‘smart trousers’ with artificial ‘muscles’ which could help the elderly and disabled with their mobility.

The project, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), incorporates a number of technologies including smart electronics and graphene. Some items of clothing which make use of these, including a pair of ‘power trousers’, have already been demonstrated at the British Science Festival.

The so-called ‘power trousers’, which are developed by experts in fields including functional 3D-printing, smart-material development and artificial muscle technology, are expected to provide a 5-10% increase in strength to the wearer’s own muscles, within a decade.

Jonathan Rossiter, Professor of Robotics at the University of Bristol and the lead researcher on the project, believes that in the future it will be possible to choose a pair of ‘assistance’ trousers from a store, just as with ‘regular’ garments today.

The prototype garments currently resemble Lycra cycling trousers; however, the researchers are confident that the trousers can be developed in other styles, and should also be washable.