In a move to offer smart ways to keep a close tab over those suffering from chronic diseases, elderly people living alone, and even firemen and police officers, the researchers at the Laval University in Quebec introduced a host of new developments, says a PTI report.
A team under the supervision of Professor Younes Messaddeq has created a revolutionary smart fabric by successfully superimposing multiple layers of copper, polymers, glass and silver.
The surface of the fibre can also be adjusted to monitor a range of information such as glucose levels, heart rhythm, brain activity, movements and spatial coordinates.
Talking about the new invention, Messaddeq, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Photonic Innovations said, "The fibre acts as both sensor and antenna. It is durable but malleable, and can be woven with wool or cotton. And signal quality is comparable to commercial antennas."
He further informed, "We have tested a number of solutions, and the results are promising. We will also have to make sure the fabric is robust, and can stand up to chemicals found in laundry detergent.”
A patent application has already been filed, though certain elements which still need to be fine-tuned before the innovation is ready for commercialisation, said the researchers.
The research report was published in the journal Sensors.
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