Networks of sensors placed on the skin can provide continuous measurement of human physiological signals for applications in clinical diagnostics, athletics and human-machine interfaces. Wireless and battery-free sensors are particularly desirable for reliable long-term monitoring, but current approaches for achieving this mode of operation rely on near-field technologies that require close proximity (at most a few centimetres) between each sensor and a wireless readout device. Here, we report near-field-enabled clothing capable of establishing wireless power and data connectivity between multiple distant points around the body to create a network of battery-free sensors interconnected by proximity to functional textile patterns. Using computer-controlled embroidery of conductive threads, we integrate clothing with near-field-responsive patterns that are completely fabric-based and free of fragile silicon components. We demonstrate the utility of the networked system for real-time, multi-node measurement of spinal posture as well as continuous sensing of temperature and gait during exercise.
to physical cues. [4,5] Mimicking such intelligent responses in artificial systems is a long-standing challenge that requires the integration of stimulus-responsive motility and perception feedback in a robotic body. [6] To date, the mainstream efforts on robot intelligence have been made in programmable control of rigid bodies that rely on individual computational modeling and electric actuation to achieve specific prescribed robot actions, [7] while the complex computing systems, power sources, and electrical motors restrict the robot body from size miniaturization and high-level of motion adaptivity. The realization of intelligent response in a miniature robot requires new design strategies capable of providing tightly coupled actuation and sensing mechanisms, and body compliance.Soft robotics is an emerging field that strives to bridge the gap between robots and biological living organisms. [8] Unlike conventional hard machines, soft robots are comprised of structures that continuously response, deform and morph in efforts to autonomously adapt to surroundings, manipulate objects, and execute dexterous maneuvers. [9] Without doubt, the stimulus responsiveness and multifunctionalities of active soft matter have opened up opportunities for diverse designs of actuation strategies [10][11][12][13][14][15] (including light, heat, humidity, electrical, pneumatic, and magnetic actuation) and sensing schemes [16][17][18][19][20] (such as resistive, capacitive, and self-powered sensing). Synchronous motility and multisensory perception in one compact system, especially when the robot size is down to centimeter scale, still proves a particular fabrication challenge. [21] So far, limited embodiments based on a single mode of sensory feedback mechanism have been achieved, [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] such as ionic capacitive sensors embedded in a pneumatic actuator, [23] liquid metal strain sensors integrated in a soft gripper, [30] and piezoresistive strain feedback in artificial muscles. [26] And few attempts at integrating multifunctional sensing schemes [31,32] have revealed inherent limitations in multiple connection terminals, complex electric power inputs, and complicated fabrication processes, where trade-offs between the actuation/shape adaptivity and sensing capability is unavoidable.Here, we overcome these challenges using an integral thinfilm construct to demonstrate fabrication of customizable, Living organisms are capable of sensing and responding to their environment through reflex-driven pathways. The grand challenge for mimicking such natural intelligence in miniature robots lies in achieving highly integrated body functionality, actuation, and sensing mechanisms. Here, somatosensory light-driven robots (SLiRs) based on a smart thin-film composite tightly integrating actuation and multisensing are presented. The SLiR subsumes pyro/piezoelectric responses and piezoresistive strain sensation under a photoactuator transducer, enabling simultaneous yet non-interfering perception of its body temperature a...
Electronic textiles capable of sensing, powering, and communication can be used to non-intrusively monitor human health during daily life. However, achieving these functionalities with clothing is challenging because of limitations in the electronic performance, flexibility and robustness of the underlying materials, which must endure repeated mechanical, thermal and chemical stresses during daily use. Here, we demonstrate electronic textile systems with functionalities in near-field powering and communication created by digital embroidery of liquid metal fibers. Owing to the unique electrical and mechanical properties of the liquid metal fibers, these electronic textiles can conform to body surfaces and establish robust wireless connectivity with nearby wearable or implantable devices, even during strenuous exercise. By transferring optimized electromagnetic patterns onto clothing in this way, we demonstrate a washable electronic shirt that can be wirelessly powered by a smartphone and continuously monitor axillary temperature without interfering with daily activities.
Emerging soft exoskeletons pose urgent needs for high-performance strain sensors with tunable linear working windows to achieve a high-precision control loop. Still, the stateof-the-art strain sensors require further advances to simultaneously satisfy multiple sensing parameters, including high sensitivity, reliable linearity, and tunable strain ranges. Besides, a wireless sensing system is highly desired to enable facile monitoring of soft exoskeleton in real time, but is rarely investigated. Herein, wireless Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene strain sensing systems were fabricated by developing hierarchical morphologies on piezoresistive layers and incorporating regulatory resistors into circuit designs as well as integrating the sensing circuit with near-field communication (NFC) technology. The wireless MXene sensor system can simultaneously achieve an ultrahigh sensitivity (gauge factor ≥ 14,000) and reliable linearity (R 2 ≈ 0.99) within multiple user-designated high-strain working windows (130% to ≥900%). Additionally, the wireless sensing system can collectively monitor the multisegment exoskeleton actuations through a single database channel, largely reducing the data processing loading. We finally integrate the wireless, battery-free MXene e-skin with various soft exoskeletons to monitor the complex actuations that assist hand/leg rehabilitation. KEYWORDS: soft exoskeletons, strain sensors, wireless technologies, hierarchical morphologies, titanium carbide Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene
A wireless sensor based on bioresponsive DNA hydrogel provides smartphone-based detection of wound infection.
Summary Wearable optoelectronic devices can interface with the skin for applications in continuous health monitoring and light-based therapy. Measurement of the thermal effect of light on skin is often critical to track physiological parameters and control light delivery. However, accurate measurement of light-induced thermal effects is challenging because conventional sensors cannot be placed on the skin without obstructing light delivery. Here, we report a wearable optoelectronic patch integrated with a transparent nanowire sensor that provides light delivery and thermal monitoring at the same location. We achieve fabrication of a transparent silver nanowire network with >92% optical transmission that provides thermoresistive sensing of skin temperature. By integrating the sensor in a wireless optoelectronic patch, we demonstrate closed-loop regulation of light delivery as well as thermal characterization of blood flow. This light delivery and thermal monitoring approach may open opportunities for wearable devices in light-based diagnostics and therapies.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.