The School of Engineering and Digital Arts at the University of Kent is working alongside the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) and other partners including the University of Manchester and Northwestern University on a collaboration called “BodySense” funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
Non-invasive sensing platforms are already prevalent in the marketplace to monitor and log personal data on health and well-being although these existing wearable models carry drawbacks, with their connection to the body via straps or similar fastenings failing to maintain a good connection over a long period.
Existing skin conformal sensor nodes are also very limited in their sensing ability, with their principal focus on just temperature and strain and their performance relying upon high power consumption, resulting in regular battery recharging and electronic waste.
However, the CPI, alongside its partners, are aiming to create a new manufacturing platform for novel smart sensing devices. By using passively powered Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags mounted on conformal tattoo-like substrates, devices can remain attached to the body for days at a time before naturally bio-degrading, therefore minimising electrode waste. Professor John Batchelor, from the School of Engineering and Digital Arts commented: “There is huge potential for this technology and working with CPI will help us ensure we have the scope to take the product to market in the future.
Further details about the project can be located here.