Nanocomposite Fabric Sensors for Human Performance and Health Monitoring

Flexible and wearable sensors for human performance sensing have received increased attention, particularly for fitness, healthcare, sports, and military applications. In particular, the measurement of human vital signals provides rich datasets for assessing the subject’s physiological or psychological condition, which are directly linked to performance. Instead of using conventional, bulky, wearable transducers, the objective of this study is to design and validate a conformable, non-invasive, and fabric-like sensing system for monitoring body motions, respiration, and temperature. The main sensing element is a piezoresistive multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT)-polymer thin film fabricated using spray coating. The films are integrated with stretchable and waterproof fabrics to form the wearable strain sensor.