A wearable device that tracks the heart rate and breathing of babies has been developed by University of Sussex scientists for parents concerned about the possibility of cot death.
The technology uses liquid-based sensors which contain an emulsion made from graphene, water and oil, which conducts electricity.
Comprised of carbon atoms, as a material graphene is strong, flexible and conductive, when a channel or tube holding the liquid is stretched, even by a small amount, the conductivity of the liquid changes.
This means that the respiration rates and pulses of those wearing the device can be tracked.
Professor Alan Dalton of the University of Sussex said: “Using the conducting liquid emulsions we have developed, we will produce cheap, wearable sensors based on graphene.
“The devices will be comfortable, non-invasive and can provide intuitive diagnostics of breathing and heart rate.
“We will eventually have a suit that the baby can wear which will read out all vital information wirelessly.
“We hope to see this made available within two to four years.”
They were inspired to create the health monitor after the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation called for new affordable, wearable health technologies for babies in situations where resources are scarce.
Currently, to monitor the pulses of babies clunky sensors need to be attached to their tiny hands or feet, and often fall off.
Due to the liquid technology being so sensitive, it picks up very small signals when attached to the body, the University of Sussex said.
This means monitoring could be done wirelessly and non-invasively with a fitness tracker like band, or even embedded within the fabric of a sensor vest for a baby to wear.
Prof Dalton said the sensor they have created in the lab has the potential to “drastically improve” early detection of life-threatening symptoms including sleep apnea or cardiac arrhythmia, where constant monitoring with conventional equipment is challenging outside the hospital.
He suggested the technology could one day even be expanded into fitness wear, and revealed he came up with the idea for the graphene emulsion as he was making a salad dressing with his daughter.
A wearable device that tracks the heart rate and breathing of babies has been developed by University of Sussex scientists for parents concerned about the possibility of cot death.
The technology uses liquid-based sensors which contain an emulsion made from graphene, water and oil, which conducts electricity.
Comprised of carbon atoms, as a material graphene is strong, flexible and conductive, when a channel or tube holding the liquid is stretched, even by a small amount, the conductivity of the liquid changes.
This means that the respiration rates and pulses of those wearing the device can be tracked.
Professor Alan Dalton of the University of Sussex said: “Using the conducting liquid emulsions we have developed, we will produce cheap, wearable sensors based on graphene.
“The devices will be comfortable, non-invasive and can provide intuitive diagnostics of breathing and heart rate.
“We will eventually have a suit that the baby can wear which will read out all vital information wirelessly.
“We hope to see this made available within two to four years.”
They were inspired to create the health monitor after the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation called for new affordable, wearable health technologies for babies in situations where resources are scarce.
Currently, to monitor the pulses of babies clunky sensors need to be attached to their tiny hands or feet, and often fall off.
Due to the liquid technology being so sensitive, it picks up very small signals when attached to the body, the University of Sussex said.
This means monitoring could be done wirelessly and non-invasively with a fitness tracker like band, or even embedded within the fabric of a sensor vest for a baby to wear.
Prof Dalton said the sensor they have created in the lab has the potential to “drastically improve” early detection of life-threatening symptoms including sleep apnea or cardiac arrhythmia, where constant monitoring with conventional equipment is challenging outside the hospital.
He suggested the technology could one day even be expanded into fitness wear, and revealed he came up with the idea for the graphene emulsion as he was making a salad dressing with his daughter.
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