Background

Monitoring strain on the human body is critical for evaluating various health conditions and monitoring athletic performance. Strain information can provide key insights into the biomechanics of the human body, both during physical exertion and daily life.

Currently, wearable flexible strain sensors exist, with both resistance based and capacitance based sensing methods. Unfortunately, these sensors have several key drawbacks, including limited strain range, limited sensitivity, and limited ability to handle out-of-plane deformation. The human body is capable of producing large, out of range strains such that regular movements often deform the sensors beyond their ranges, both in and out of plane.

Thus, there is substantial need for a strain sensor with a high strain range and increased functionality with high deformation.

Technology Overview

NC State distinguished researchers have developed a novel, low cost, resilient and wearable strain sensor with good sensitivity and a higher stretch range than the prior art. The sensor is made out of a silver nanowire network specially modified for increased flexibility and strain sensing capability.

The result is a cheaply produced, highly flexible, and highly sensitive strain sensor. This sensor can flex and deform substantially more than the prior art, both in and out of plane. This allows the sensor to be worn directly against the human body, even on highly mobile locations such as joints and the lower back.

This sensor has been experimentally validated as a blood pressure sensor. Research is still underway to refine this innovation.

Benefits

Low cost, wearable strain sensor.
Good sensitivity strain sensor.
Highly deformable, wearable strain sensor.
High strain capable strain sensor.

Applications

Wearable strain sensor.
Biomonitoring during for athletics.

Silver Nanowire Based, Highly Flexible, Wearable Strain Sensors