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Research Vision
Research Vision
The research goal of the lab is to achieve flexible and wearable multi-functional sensor systems interacting with humans that would overcome the shortfall of existing wearable sensing technology. Our lab focus on developing “human-machine interactive electronics” by combining research on “innovative materials” and “device fabrication.” Together with innovative materials and devices, we move forward to develop sensors for biomedical, strategic, and allied applications.
Recent Research
We have developed the prototype wearable sensor glove for nonverbal communication devices by sensing human gestures. The devices show impeccable compatibility with human skin with ultra-high sensitivity towards human finger motions/gestures/actions. This expedient behavior of materials has been commuted with electrical circuits to develop the voice assisting non-verbal communication devices for mute and hearing-impaired patients. The devices can convert the human finger motions into words/speech instantly within < 1 s. This technology is highly potential to assisting hearing impaired patients to communicate hassle-free with affordable cost.
The sensor device was fabricated by integrating the nanomaterials with high extensible natural rubber for military applications. The sensor instantaneously (≈ 600 ms) transforms mechanical strains (≈ 250%) into electrical signals to provide intelligent interfacing between user and device. The sensor shows a high gauge factor (≈ 1.4 × 104) that performs reversible, dynamic sensing in monitoring voluntary and involuntary motions. We demonstrated the real-time use of such wearable sensors places on human arms to convert the hidden commands made by hand gestures into text. The sensors are capable of connecting/communicating with multiple user interfaces by which a group of people (in the Army) could receive the commands instantly by simple hand gesture motions. This technology will be highly beneficial for emergency and surgical strick operations in military applications.
The human heart and vocal functions are involved with very ultra-low vibrations (typically strain rate of below 10 %) on the wrist and vocal points. These ultra-low vibrations/strain are generally traceable/detectable only by IR-based optical sensor platforms. These techniques are unrealistic for the cost-effective and miniaturized applications as it requires several components and modules to develop the prototype sensors. Thus, we attempted to develop the piezoresistive wearable smart wrist bands (non-optical technique) by integrating the nanomaterials-based natural rubber composites with suitable electronic platforms. The sensor transforms ultra-low mechanical strains (≈ 1 %) into electrical signals that sense the variations in heart rate and vocal functions from the skin. This device further provides intelligent interfacing with the computer for real-time pulse rate monitoring. Such ultra-low strain sensitivity delivers the materials developed at our lab suitable for voice recognition and heart rate monitoring applications to achieve affordable health care.
In recent years, paper-based lightweight, degradable, low-cost, and eco-friendly substrates utilized in wearable biosensors applications. The paper-based electronic device fabrication is considered a cost-effective method for sensor applications, albeit to a lesser extent in sensing the acetone as it generally requires high operating temperatures. However, the strategy to use paper-based electronics for sensing acetone by lowering the working temperature with improved sensitivity and selectivity is essential for wearable healthcare and chemical sensor applications. In this work, the conducting carbon electrodes are printed on paper by a facile method. The fabricated paper-based electrodes have shown good conductivity (80 S/m), flexibility (bending 45o), and stability under strain (~1000 bending cycles). Furthermore, we have characterized the surface, interfacial, microstructure, electrical, and electromechanical properties of these paper-based devices to elucidate the sensitivity and selectivity. As a proof of concept, these paper-based sensors are incorporated with ZnO-PANI layers to realize acetone sensing. The sensitivity of about ~20 is achieved at room temperature with high selectivity among the other electrolytes of biological systems, making these paper-based sensors suitable for wearable biosensing applications. At room temperature, these paper-based acetone sensor has shown ultrafast response and recovery time found as 4 s and 15 s, respectively. The role of sensor probe surfaces and interfaces on low-temperature regeneration and reversibility has been investigated. The lab-scale prototype fabrication with an easy, simple fabrication method shows excellent sensitivity, and selectivity dictates the paper-based electronics into commercially viable product development. Furthermore, this flexible paper-based sensor renders easy and eco-friendly disposal by incineration without producing hazardous residues. This versatile and green flexible electronic device may find applications in low-cost, highly regenerative approaches toward paper-based wearable electronics applications.
In recent years, paper-based lightweight, degradable, low-cost, and eco-friendly substrates utilized in wearable biosensors applications. The paper-based electronic device fabrication is considered a cost-effective method for sensor applications, albeit to a lesser extent in sensing the acetone as it generally requires high operating temperatures. However, the strategy to use paper-based electronics for sensing acetone by lowering the working temperature with improved sensitivity and selectivity is essential for wearable healthcare and chemical sensor applications. In this work, the conducting carbon electrodes are printed on paper by a facile method. The fabricated paper-based electrodes have shown good conductivity (80 S/m), flexibility (bending 45o), and stability under strain (~1000 bending cycles). Furthermore, we have characterized the surface, interfacial, microstructure, electrical, and electromechanical properties of these paper-based devices to elucidate the sensitivity and selectivity. As a proof of concept, these paper-based sensors are incorporated with ZnO-PANI layers to realize acetone sensing. The sensitivity of about ~20 is achieved at room temperature with high selectivity among the other electrolytes of biological systems, making these paper-based sensors suitable for wearable biosensing applications. At room temperature, these paper-based acetone sensor has shown ultrafast response and recovery time found as 4 s and 15 s, respectively. The role of sensor probe surfaces and interfaces on low-temperature regeneration and reversibility has been investigated. The lab-scale prototype fabrication with an easy, simple fabrication method shows excellent sensitivity, and selectivity dictates the paper-based electronics into commercially viable product development. Furthermore, this flexible paper-based sensor renders easy and eco-friendly disposal by incineration without producing hazardous residues. This versatile and green flexible electronic device may find applications in low-cost, highly regenerative approaches toward paper-based wearable electronics applications.
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