This invention introduces a novel multifunctional and physically compliant wearable platform that utilizes emerging materials such as laser-induced graphene a liquid metal as the main sensing elements. The conformal platform is capable of inertial-based acceleration measurement and integrated to wirelessly monitors motion, temperature, humidity, and breathing patterns.
A liquid metal-droplet was used as a fatigue-free deformable proof mass for the motion sensor. The High mobility of liquid metal droplet is achieved via graphene interpenetrated nest-like coating of the droplet outer shell yielding high device sensitivity and repeatability. The platform’s breadth of application by demonstrating its functionality in real-time- monitoring of human health, physical activity of legged robots, and soft human-machine interfaces. This technology is directed toward the development of the next generation of soft inertial motion sensors that are based fatigue-free proof mass enabling a conformal interface with the human body to collect valuable health information about the musculoskeletal system, locomotion, body spatial orientation, motor-function assessment and for seamless human-robot interfacing.
Current uses of the platform include real-time- monitoring of human health, physical activity, and wireless control of a robotic arm towards soft human-machine interfaces.