「新智能布料」直接傳送人體訊息，打破醫學界線 | A New Smart Fabric Could Save Lives of Injured Soliders and First Responders

「新智能布料」直接傳送人體訊息，打破醫學界線

在拉瓦爾大學的科學和雷射光學工程中心的研究團隊，開發出一款前所未有的生物醫學智能布料。

這種智能布料能夠感應並透過無線或細胞網絡傳輸穿著者的人體訊息。在最新一期的科學期刊當中描述到，這一項生物紡織技術，將為醫學使用上面帶來一個新的發展，可應用在感測臥病在床的慢性疾病病人、獨居老人、受傷的阿兵哥、甚至消防員和警察等。

在Messaddeq教授的指導下，研究團隊成功地將銅、高分子導電聚合物、玻璃和銀多等元素，層層堆疊而成智能布料。 Messaddeq教授解釋：「此種先進纖維可同時充當傳感器和天線，它是耐用且具有延展性與拉伸能力，並且可以與羊毛或棉花等自然纖維交錯編織再一起，其信號質量甚至比得上商業天線」。該纖維的表面上，也可以進行更多調整，以監控各種信息，如葡萄糖水平、心臟節律、大腦活動、運動和空間坐標。

雖然專利已經提出申請，但在到準備大量進行生產的步驟以前還需要一番調整與籌劃。 Messaddeq教授表示：「當然，這種技術將必須連接到無線網絡，而且電源也是一大難題」。

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A New Smart Fabric Could Save Lives of Injured Soliders and First Responders

Researchers at Université Laval's Faculty of Science and Engineering and Centre for Optics, Photonics and Lasers have developed smart textiles able to monitor and transmit wearers' biomedical information via wireless or cellular networks. This technological breakthrough, described in a recent article in the scientific journal Sensors, clears a path for a host of new developments for people suffering from chronic diseases, elderly people living alone, and even firemen and police officers.

A team under the supervision of Professor Younès Messaddeq created the smart fabric by successfully superimposing multiple layers of copper, polymers, glass, and silver. "The fiber acts as both sensor and antenna. It is durable but malleable, and can be woven with wool or cotton. And signal quality is comparable to commercial antennas," explained Professor Messaddeq, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Photonic Innovations. The surface of the fiber can also be adjusted to monitor a range of information such as glucose levels, heart rhythm, brain activity, movements, and spatial coordinates.

A patent application has already been filed, though certain elements still need to be fine-tuned before the innovation is ready for commercialization. "Of course, the technology will have to be connected to a wireless network, and there is the issue of power supply to be solved," notes Professor Messaddeq. We have tested a number of solutions, and the results are promising. We will also have to make sure the fabric is robust, and can stand up to chemicals found in laundry detergent."

Source: Université Laval