Engineers from the University of Washington turned a conventional paper napkin into an ultrasensitive sensor that measures the pulse, the speed of rotation of the eyeball and other movements of the human body.

Napkin and a toilet paper similar in structure to it are a nanostructured composite consisting of microporous cellulose fibers and carbon nanotubes. This allows it to conduct a good current and makes it very sensitive to mechanical influences, which means that it has great potential in the field of energy storage and the production of flexible and wearable electronics.

This time, scientists decided to use the unique properties of nanocomposite to make a sensor for diagnosing various diseases. They impregnated the napkin with water, with a double-sided adhesive tape pasted it to the wrist of a man and attached piezoresistive elements to it. Under pressure due to heartbeat, parallel and perpendicularly located cellulose fibers began to stretch, so that the sensing elements of the sensor were able to measure the pulse. Sensor mounted on the finger of the hand.

Then the researchers conducted another experiment and placed the sensor on the reading glasses. By changing the distance from the lens to the paper during blinking, they were able to measure the speed of rotation of the eyeball. During the third experiment, the sensor was fixed on the finger - so scientists could understand how the position of the joint changes.

The size of the device does not exceed several centimeters, and after use it can be discarded. In addition, the device weighs very little, is easy to operate and quickly decomposes. The developers say that the scope of this invention is extremely wide. For example, with its help you can analyze the health of young children or the elderly - this will save them from the need to regularly visit the hospital.

Scientists plan to continue working and in the future to launch the novelty into mass production. Detailed development is described in the journal Advanced Materials Technologies.

naked-science.ru