New microfibre sensor developed for healthcare monitoring

Researchers have developed a new type of microfibre sensor that could be used in the development of wearable health monitoring devices.

Created by the National University of Singapore, the microfibre sensor is soft, flexible and stretchable, with roughly the diameter of a strand of human hair. Despite its highly sensitive and ultra-thin design, it is simple and cost-effective to mass produce.

It consists of a liquid metallic alloy that serves as the sensing element, encapsulated within a soft silicone microtube. This allows pulse waveforms to be measured in real time, with this data offering insights into heart rate, blood pressure and stiffness in blood vessels.

As well as offering considerable potential for monitoring heart conditions, the sensors could be woven into bandages to monitor the pressure that is being delivered and maintained, while allowing patients and doctors to track this performance using an app.

Professor Lim Chwee Teck, from the department of biomedical engineering at the National University of Singapore's faculty of engineering, said: "Uniquely designed to be durable and washable, our novel invention is highly attractive for promising applications in the emerging field of wearable electronics."

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