http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2014/NR/C3NR05496A#!divAbstract
North Carolina State University researchers have developed a thumb joint mounted, multifunctional sensor using silver nanowires that measures strain, pressure, human touch and bioelectronic signals. With potential biomedical, military and athletic applications, the sensor can be used for prosthetics, robotic systems and flexible touch panels.
“The technology is based on either physical deformation or “fringing” electric field changes. The latter is very similar to the mechanism used in smartphone touch screens, but the sensors we’ve developed are stretchable and can be mounted on a variety of curvilinear surfaces such as human skin” according to NC State’s Shanshan Yao.
“These sensors could be used to help develop prosthetics that respond to a user’s movement and provide feedback when in use,” said Professor Yong Zhu. “They could also be used to create robotics that can ‘feel’ their environment, or the sensors could be incorporated into clothing to track motion or monitor an individual’s physical health.”
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