Researcher Bulcha Belay Etana from Ghent University has developed smart textile electrodes that comfortably monitor muscle activity, with applications in sports, healthcare, and IoT integration for personalised healthcare.
Etana has developed a new generation of smart textile electrodes capable of monitoring muscles without the discomfort of traditional electrodes. This innovation offers hope for athletes and patients in need of long-term and comfortable monitoring solutions.
These electrodes, created with embroidery techniques, offer real-time muscle data for athletes and continuous monitoring for patients.
They wirelessly transmit data for personalised healthcare.
Smart textiles are not a new concept, but advancements in this field are accelerating rapidly. Imagine sportswear that not only absorbs sweat but also measures signals from your muscles. This technology uses conductive threads woven into the fabric, designed to capture electrical signals emitted by muscles.
"The challenge is to design these electrodes to be both comfortable and capable of measuring accurate signals," explained Etana. "That’s why we used hybrid polyamide threads that are flexible, durable, and make good contact with the skin."
A key breakthrough in the research was the use of embroidery techniques to create the textile electrodes. This approach not only ensures a better fit but also improves conductivity and durability. "Embroidering electrodes might sound old-fashioned, but it’s actually highly effective," said Etana. "We tested various designs to determine which provides the best signal and the highest comfort."
The applications are promising. Athletes can receive real-time feedback on their muscle activity during training, helping to prevent injuries. In healthcare, the potential is equally significant. Patients with muscle or nerve issues can be continuously monitored without the discomfort of sticky gel electrodes, the study stated.
"With this technology, we can not only measure muscle activity but also track trends over longer periods. This is crucial for rehabilitation and performance improvement," Etana added.
The smart electrodes can wirelessly transmit data to a smartphone or computer, paving the way for personalised healthcare, even remotely. "We are at the dawn of a revolution in wearable technology. Smart textiles can play a major role in how we monitor health and sports performance,” Etana concluded.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)