Submerged Sensors to Control Wearable Electronics
August 18, 2021 | ACN NewswireEstimated reading time: 1 minute
![](https://iconnect007.com/application/files/3716/9086/8023/pressure_sensor.jpg)
Flexible and waterproof sensors that could unlock new applications for wearable electronics have been developed by scientists in Korea. Published in the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials, the study shows how the pressure sensor can control a phone, to take photos and play music, even when the sensor is fully immersed in water.
The technology could transform the use of wearable electronics in healthcare, smart textiles and for specific applications including scuba diving equipment, say the study researchers, who are based at Soongsil University in Seoul.
"Flexible electronics will usher in a whole new world of wearable technologies to monitor our health and lifestyles," says Jooyong Kim, a materials scientist who led the research. "But until now, many of these applications have been held back because the pressure sensors they rely on could not handle being exposed to water. We have changed that."
To demonstrate the power of the new technology, the researchers incorporated one of the sensors into a flexible face mask. Sensitive enough to detect the movement of air inside the mask, the sensor could track and report the rate of breathing of a wearer in real-time.
The sensor converts tiny movements caused by change in pressure and electrical resistance into electronic signals. Like many similar flexible electronic devices, the design of the circuit was hand-drawn onto a conducting material with a marker-pen, which acts to shield the circuitry when the rest of the material was etched away. This is cheaper than traditional methods.
The researchers then mounted the finger-print sized circuit onto a blend of wet tissue paper and carbon nanotubes, which works to detect changes in pressure. They then covered the layered sensor device with a strip of tape, to make it waterproof.
The device can track both the magnitude and location of pressure applied to it. Using machine learning technology to process the signals, the researchers found the sensors could feel and report applied pressures in the lab with up to 94% accuracy. And by connecting the sensor to a wi-fi network, the researchers could press it underwater to control phone functions, including double touch, triple touch, short touch, and long touch patterns.
"We expect the readily-available materials, easy fabrication techniques, and machine learning algorithms we have demonstrated in this journal article will bring significant contributions to the development of hand-drawn sensors in the future," says Kim.
Suggested Items
Ventec Giga Solutions & Hi-Print Team up to Launch World's First 3-Color Inkjet Printing Solution
07/24/2024 | Ventec International GroupVentec Giga Solutions, Ventec’s value-added PCB equipment division, and leading inkjet printer manufacturer Hi-Print have teamed up to launch the industry’s most cutting-edge inkjet printer for solder mask technology.
Global Flexible Substrate Market Size To Worth USD 2520.19 Million by 2033; CAGR Of 14.50%
07/16/2024 | Globe NewswireThe Global Flexible Substrate Market Size is to Grow from USD 650.62 Million in 2023 to USD 2520.19 Million by 2033, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 14.50% during the projected period.
SEMICON West 2024 Preshow Interview, FLEX Conference Review
07/03/2024 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineIn this preshow interview for SEMICON West 2024 and the FLEX Conference, we dive into the dynamic world of semiconductor and flexible electronics, revealing cutting-edge insights from industry leaders with SEMI’s Samer Bahou, Gity Samadi and Julie Rogers and Bob Praino from Chasm Advanced Materials who advises the FLEX program. Set against the backdrop of the prestigious Moscone Center in San Francisco, the discussion traverses the history, evolution, and future directions of this critical sector, spotlighting the CHIPS Act, the importance of flexible and hybrid electronics technology for the sector going forward, and touches on issues such as sustainability and workforce. Here’s why you should be attending SEMICON West 2024 and FLEX Conference.
Mustaches and Automation in Flexible PCB Fabrication
06/24/2024 | Chris Clark, Flexible Circuit TechnologiesIn any manufactured product, whether a house or a flexible circuit, there is always a raw material component in the overall cost. In the flexible circuit, flexible heater, and rigid-flex industry, sheet materials can account for 20–60% of the overall price. Admittedly, this is a very broad range, but factors, such as how common the materials are in the region where they are made, can cause this to swing one way or the other. Your actions as an engineer or sourcing agent have an impact on overall cost, which I’ll illustrate through the example of building a house.
OE-A at ICFPE 2024, Taipei, Taiwan
06/11/2024 | OE-AThe International Conference on Flexible and Printed Electronics (ICFPE 2024) takes place from August 28-30, 2024, in Taipei, Taiwan. OE-A is a partner of this event and organizes a conference session.