Graphene and Rubber Bands Could Revolutionize Health Monitoring

By Dexter Johnson
Posted 22 Aug 2014 | 20:00 GMT
One of graphenes most attractive properties is its
flexibility. Its this property that has led
researchers to consider using it to replace for
indium tin oxide (ITO)

Photo: Getty Images

(http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/nanotechnology/graphene-still-trying-to-replace-itoin-organic-solar-cells)in the electrodes of organic solar cells. Researchers at the University of Surrey and
Trinity College may have found another use for that flexibilityadding graphene to rubber bands to give
elastics electronic properties and using the combination for health monitoring.
(https://www.surrey.ac.uk/features/could-elastic-bands-monitor-patients%E2%80%99-breathing)
In research published in the journal ACS Nano (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nn503454h), the
researchers explain a simple process for infusing graphene into elastic bands such that they become
extremely sensitive strain sensors.
The researchers claim that the sensors are extremely cheap to produce and could be used as wearable
sensors for monitoring a patient's breathing, heart rate, or irregular movements.
Until now, no such sensor has been produced that meets these needs, said Surreys Dr Alan Dalton, in a
press release. It sounds like a simple concept, but our graphene-infused rubber bands could really help to
revolutionize remote healthcare-and theyre very cheap to manufacture.
Professor Jonathan Coleman from Trinity College, Dublin added: This stretchy material senses motion such
as breathing, pulse and joint movement and could be used to create lightweight sensor suits for vulnerable
patients such as premature babies, making it possible to remotely monitor their subtle movements and alert
a doctor to any worrying behaviors.
The researchers have already tested the graphene-infused elastic bands for measuring joint and muscle
motion as well and breathing and pulse.