Development of thermally drawn fiber-based wearable sensors for healthcare monitoring

Abstract

Recently, the healthcare system has moved from hospital-centered to active systems that individuals can directly monitor and diagnoses the disease using wearable healthcare devices. In particular, wearable technology is receiving a lot of attention because it can monitor human physiological elements. Many wearable devices such as smart watches and smart glasses are being commercialized, but due to its rigidity, it is inevitable to cause inconvenience to users. As a strategy to solve this problem, 2D flexible devices or fiber shape devices are receiving a tremendous attention. However, existing fibrous devices have limitations in applying various shapes and materials because most fiber shape electronics are fabricated using coating and spinning. There is a problem that multi-functionality, sensor stability, and process efficiency are insufficient. In this study, fiber shape temperature sensors and strain sensors of several hundred meters long with various materials and geometries were manufactured through a thermal drawing process (TDP). By wearing clothes to sensors applied, a lot of bio information such as body temperature, heart rate, and respiration rate can be obtained.