The Next Generation Of Health Tracking Equipment Will Be Printed On Clothing.

　　 Embedded circuit

The intricate circuits of traditional electronic devices consist of wire and silicon chips. However, traditional electronic components are not flexible and waterproof, so they must be placed on solid pads, such as computer motherboards.

In recent years, researchers have been trying to develop flexible conductive materials, which are expected to be used to drive the next generation of science fiction equipment, from retractable batteries to bionic eyes, to electronic skin. In the past few years, flexible conductive material technology has achieved rapid development.

Manufacturing this kind equipment One of the simultaneous interpreting schemes is to use extended inks to connect them to different sensors, such as global positioning system (GPS), accelerometer, heart rate monitor and temperature sensor. Michael Barros, manager of DuPont Microcircuit Materials, the manufacturer of the inks, said that the type of ink was composed of conductive silver nanoparticles embedded in extendable polymeric resins. (Michael Burrows)

According to DuPont Microcircuit Materials Marketing Manager Steven Willoughby (Steven Willoughby), unlike previous projects, the more innovative conductive ink can be used in almost any textile factory's technology for screen printing, or laminated on clothing and underwear.

Barros pointed out that ordinary smart phones will be damaged by being mistaken for washing machines, and the new ink can be washed at least 100 times.

Another technology that has been put into use is electrically conductive yarns, which are made of metals that run through clothing fibers. Wearable technology design company Clothing+ CEO Akseli Reijo (Akseli Reho) said that compared with conductive yarn, printable ink can be more flexible and comfortable, while the latter can provide a more convenient platform for embedding silicon chips into clothes.

　　 New clothes

Although the fashion trend of clothing is constantly changing, the main functions of the very ancient technology of clothing haven't changed much so far. "I think the last major invention of clothes is pocket." Reijo told the media.

However, with the emergence of smart shirt, smart underwear, smart Bike Pants, smart socks and so on, this situation is about to change. These smart clothes are only a little more expensive than plain clothes.

ReHo said that the new intelligent sensing technology can bring a series of new uses to clothing, such as highly accurate and sustainable heart rate monitoring. They are very important for accurately measuring the calorie consumption, recovery time and exercise effects of wearers.

He added that clothes may also be applied to clinical applications one day, so as to more closely monitor the health of patients and even predict or avoid the occurrence of health crises.

Barros pointed out that unlike existing motion tracking devices, new electronic components can be embedded in anything that humans wear.