Super-smart textiles to monitor remote health

Dr
Ishara Dharmasena has been appointed a Research Fellow by the Royal Academy of
Engineering to develop the new technology for the next five years. He will make
these electronically-active clothing from textile yarns that capture energy
from body movements and generate electricity using very small power generators
known as ‘Triboelectric Nanogenerators’ (TENGs).

Absorbing
the movement from the body, these super-smart textiles will not only power
electronic components, but also act as self-powered functional sensors that are
able to accurately sense the movements of targeted body parts. This futuristic
textile system will then wirelessly communicate the data to a mobile device –
resulting in a highly efficient, durable, light-weight, wearable, low-cost
rehabilitation monitoring product.

The global population recently reached 7.8 billion, among
which almost 15% suffer from disabilities mainly caused by aging and chronic
diseases. Lack of infrastructure and trained professionals in
rehabilitation is a worldwide issue that has been intensified by the ongoing
pandemic and, as a result, healthcare access has been significantly reduced.

There
is a requirement of new methods that can gather inexpensive and accurate data
on physiological parameters. Existing motion detection techniques have numerous
drawbacks, including limited range, restricted mobility (due to bulky, rigid
components), high-cost, and the need of replacing/recharging batteries.

Dr
Dharmasena hopes to have two fully-functioning smart textile demonstrators at the
end of the project: the first being a tight-fitting T-shirt/base layer, and the
second being a bandage that can be worn like a normal support bandage. His
research will receive input and support from a variety of industry partners
plus academics across the School of MEME.

Source: News Medical Life Sciences

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