Researchers at Imperial College have put new, cheap wearable sensors in face masks and t-shirts that can track breathing, heart rate, and ammonia. Stress, exercise, and sleep could be tracked, and breath and vital signs could be used to find and keep an eye on diseases.
The sensors are inexpensive to produce because they are spun from a brand-new cotton-based conductive thread called PECOTEX, developed by Imperial. PECOTEX works with computerized embroidery machines that are standard in the industry and costs only $0.15 per meter of thread, which can be used to sew more than ten sensors into clothing without making them stand out.
Fahad Alshabouna, a PhD student in the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial, is the study’s first author. He said: “The flexible medium of clothing means our sensors have a wide range of applications. Additionally, because they are relatively simple to make, we could increase production and usher in a new wave of wearable clothing.
The research team incorporated the sensors into a face mask to track breathing, a t-shirt to track heartbeat, and textiles to track gases like ammonia, which can be used to track liver and kidney function. The ammonia sensors were created as a test to see if embroidery could also be used to make gas sensors.
“We demonstrated applications in cardiac activity and breathing monitoring as well as sensing gases,” continued Fahad. In the future, it could be used to diagnose and track diseases and treatments, as well as to track exercise, sleep, and stress, and in batteries, heaters, and anti-static clothing.
Seamless sensors
Wearable sensors, such as those found on smartwatches, enable non-invasive continuous monitoring of our health and wellbeing. Due to a lack of suitable conductive threads, however, there aren’t many wearable sensors that are already built into clothing.
PECOTEX is here. Researchers at Imperial College London made the material, which can be washed in a washing machine and is more electrically conductive than silver-based conductive threads. This means that more layers can be added to make more complex types of sensors.
“PECOTEX is high-performing, strong, and adaptable to different needs,” said lead author Dr. Firat Guder, who is also with the Department of Bioengineering. Because it is easily scaleable, we are able to produce large quantities at a low cost with both domestic and commercial computerized embroidery machines.
“Our study offers intriguing opportunities for wearable sensors in regular clothing. You can already track your breathing, heart rate, and gas levels with them, and in the future, they might even be able to help diagnose diseases and keep an eye on your treatment.
The scientists will then look into new areas of use, such as energy storage, energy harvesting, and biochemical sensing, and find partners to help bring their ideas to market.
The Saudi Ministry of Education, Cytiva, Imperial’s Department of Bioengineering, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the US Army, and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), a division of the UKRI), provided funding for this study.
