A smart acoustic textile for health monitoring

IF 33.7 1区工程技术 Q1 ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC

Nature Electronics Pub Date : 2025-05-19 DOI:10.1038/s41928-025-01386-2

Yingqiang Wang, Chaochao Sun, Daniel Ahmed

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Wearable electronics, such as smart textiles, are of potential use in healthcare monitoring, human–machine interfaces and environmental analysis. However, the scalability and reliability of the technology is restricted due to challenges related to rapid material degradation, potential toxicity, high production costs and heavy computational workload. Here we report an acoustic-based smart textile technology. The approach, which we term SonoTextiles, uses piezoelectric transducers that are mounted at both ends of glass microfibres and act as transmitters and receivers of acoustic waves. The flexible glass microfibres act as acoustic waveguides and are embedded into the textile substrate, providing precise sensing by measuring wave propagation and energy loss along the fibre in response to stimuli such as touch and bending. We also use acoustic frequency selectivity and frequency-domain signal processing algorithms to enhance computational efficiency. Our acoustic textile is breathable, durable and stable under thermal fluctuations, and we show that it can be used in distributed tactile sensing, hand gesture recognition and respiratory rate monitoring.

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用于健康监测的智能声学纺织品

可穿戴电子产品，如智能纺织品，在医疗监测、人机界面和环境分析方面具有潜在的用途。然而，由于材料快速降解、潜在毒性、高生产成本和繁重的计算工作量等挑战，该技术的可扩展性和可靠性受到限制。在这里，我们报告了一种基于声学的智能纺织品技术。我们将这种方法称为SonoTextiles，它使用安装在玻璃微纤维两端的压电换能器，充当声波的发射器和接收器。柔性玻璃微纤维充当声波导，嵌入到纺织基板中，通过测量波的传播和沿着纤维的能量损失来响应触摸和弯曲等刺激，从而提供精确的传感。我们还使用了声频率选择性和频域信号处理算法来提高计算效率。我们的声学纺织品具有透气性，耐用性和在热波动下的稳定性，并且我们表明它可以用于分布式触觉传感，手势识别和呼吸速率监测。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Nature Electronics Engineering-Electrical and Electronic Engineering

CiteScore

47.50

自引率

2.30%

发文量

159

期刊介绍： Nature Electronics is a comprehensive journal that publishes both fundamental and applied research in the field of electronics. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including the study of new phenomena and devices, the design and construction of electronic circuits, and the practical applications of electronics. In addition, the journal explores the commercial and industrial aspects of electronics research. The primary focus of Nature Electronics is on the development of technology and its potential impact on society. The journal incorporates the contributions of scientists, engineers, and industry professionals, offering a platform for their research findings. Moreover, Nature Electronics provides insightful commentary, thorough reviews, and analysis of the key issues that shape the field, as well as the technologies that are reshaping society. Like all journals within the prestigious Nature brand, Nature Electronics upholds the highest standards of quality. It maintains a dedicated team of professional editors and follows a fair and rigorous peer-review process. The journal also ensures impeccable copy-editing and production, enabling swift publication. Additionally, Nature Electronics prides itself on its editorial independence, ensuring unbiased and impartial reporting. In summary, Nature Electronics is a leading journal that publishes cutting-edge research in electronics. With its multidisciplinary approach and commitment to excellence, the journal serves as a valuable resource for scientists, engineers, and industry professionals seeking to stay at the forefront of advancements in the field.