With the growing popularity of wearable technology, the need for advanced wearable sensors is on the rise. These sensors can be attached to the body or even integrated into clothing, enabling athletes to track their movements more effectively, helping physical therapists in patient recovery, and supporting video games and animation with precise motion capture. Additionally, they can assist engineers in developing robots capable of gentle touch or contribute to real-time health monitoring systems.
Accurately capturing human movement is a complex task. Our hands, feet, joints, and facial expressions all undergo intricate bending and deformation. While electronic strain sensors are widely used, they often face limitations due to electromagnetic interference. This is where optical fiber sensors come into play. They are less affected by external factors and have been used in structural monitoring for bridges and buildings. When light travels through a bent fiber, the change in light transmission can be measured and converted into data about forces acting on structures.
However, traditional optical fibers made of glass or brittle plastics are not ideal for wearable applications. They tend to break under even minor deformations, making them unsuitable for flexible body movements. For instance, silica fibers can only handle up to 1% strain, while a bent finger joint can stretch over 30%. This limitation has led most wearable sensors to rely on electronic systems, which, although functional, suffer from issues like limited miniaturization, power loss, and sensitivity to electromagnetic interference.
To address these challenges, researchers at Tsinghua University's State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments have developed a new elastic fiber that can detect a wide range of human motions. This breakthrough was published in the journal *Optica*.
The new fiber is both sensitive and flexible, capable of detecting joint movements in a way that current optical fibers cannot. According to Yang, this technology offers a reliable method for measuring large deformations and can be worn comfortably without electrical risks or interference.
Traditional optical fibers are not well-suited for human movement sensing because they are rigid and prone to breaking. In contrast, the PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) fiber developed by the team is highly flexible and durable. It can stretch significantly without losing its shape, even after repeated stretching. The researchers also found that reducing the fiber’s diameter actually increased its mechanical strength, making it more suitable for wearable use.
To make the fiber functional, they incorporated a fluorescent dye called rhodamine B into the silicone. As light passes through the fiber, the dye absorbs some of it, and the amount of absorption depends on how much the fiber is stretched or bent. This allows for accurate measurement of movement using a simple spectrometer.
To test the fiber’s performance, the team attached it to rubber gloves and had users bend and stretch their fingers. The results showed that the fiber could measure up to 36% strain, matching readings from electronic sensors. Moreover, the sensor was able to detect subtle movements, such as those caused by breathing or speaking, demonstrating its potential for broader applications.
Overall, this research opens new possibilities for wearable technology and human-machine interfaces. The optical fiber sensor offers a stable, reliable, and non-intrusive way to monitor human movement, paving the way for future innovations in healthcare, sports, and beyond.
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