Body Movements can be Measured by Stretchable Electronics

It is well-known that twisting, folding, and stretching fragile conventional electronics have until now been possible either only in our imagination or in the sci-fi movies.

But now, researcher Zhigang Wu from Uppsala University, in collaboration with researchers at Laird Technologies, has made it a reality.

Wu has devised a wireless sensor that can stand to be stretched. For example, the sensor can measure intensive body movements and wirelessly send information directly to a computer.

It consists of a multifunctional antenna integrated with a conventional rigid circuit board.

The latest advances in the field of FSRFE (microfluidic stretchable radio frequency electronics) have shown the possibility of combining established stiff electronics components with channels of elastomers filled with fluid metal.

In this way it has been possible to construct systems that after severe mechanical deformation can manage to return to their original form.

Such electronics can adapt to nearly any bent and moving surfaces on a human being or a robot and can thus serve as a second layer of smart e-skin for health monitoring or remote control.

The findings have been presented in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.

Source: ANI