Researchers at IIT Delhi Develop Scalable and Wearable Pressure Sensor
New Delhi: Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi have developed a scalable and wearable pressure sensor that can potentially provide an easy, low-cost alternative to expensive footwear modifications, surgeries, and posture correction accessories.
A Nanocomposite Material Sensor for Human Movement Monitoring and Injury Rehabilitation
The new sensor is based on a nanocomposite material, combining a light-sensitive polymer and piezoelectric nanoparticles. This unique combination offers the advantage of easy array design for pixelated sensing over a large area, simple process flow, and low-cost implementation for human movement monitoring and injury rehabilitation.
Flexible Design for Easy Implementation
The researchers reported the sensor as fully flexible, allowing it to be implemented as a sensor array that comfortably fits inside the insole of varying sizes. It can also be easily attached to the palm or any body part where localized pressure sensing can be useful. The use of dual transduction nanocomposite material in the proposed sensor allows for concurrent sensing of mechanical strain as well as contact force/pressure, enabling easy integration with current Machine Learning algorithms.
Potential Applications in Healthcare and Sports Science
Lead researcher Dr Dhiman Mallick, Assistant Professor at Electrical Engineering Department, IIT Delhi, stated that the integration of sensors and Machine Learning leads to the invention of intelligent sensors for cutting-edge technologies in fields like healthcare and sports science. The proposed sensor can potentially help detect foot problems in adults and children by analyzing pressure variation and converting it into electrical output. Understanding and correcting abnormal hind foot pressure distribution is crucial, as it can lead to knee joint, hip, and spine-related injuries.
Custom Insoles and Smart Healthcare Systems
The sensor’s output is analyzed by Machine Learning models and compared to predefined patterns of a normal person, enabling clinical specialists to determine the type of deformity present. This information can aid doctors and specialists in designing custom insoles that balance out foot deformities. Additionally, the sensor can be used to understand different human activities, like walking or running, by sensing pressure changes in the hind foot. This has applications in smart healthcare systems, where activity patterns, exercise intensity, and number of steps are important parameters for critical health analysis in individuals with diabetes, obesity, and more.
Potential for Elderly Fall Detection and Injury Rehabilitation
The sensor can also be helpful in elderly fall detection, particularly in patients with Parkinson’s disorder or disabilities. It can aid in injury rehabilitation as well.
Summary:
- Researchers at IIT Delhi have developed a wearable pressure sensor based on a nanocomposite material.
- The sensor offers easy array design, simple process flow, and low-cost implementation for human movement monitoring and injury rehabilitation.
- It can detect foot problems, analyze pressure variations, and convert them into electrical output.
- The sensor’s output is analyzed using Machine Learning models to determine the type of deformity present.
- It can aid in designing custom insoles and has applications in smart healthcare systems.
- The sensor can also assist in elderly fall detection and injury rehabilitation.
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