Bulcha Belay Etana, a researcher from Ghent University, has developed a new generation of smart textile electrodes for comfortable muscle activity monitoring, with applications in sports, healthcare, and IoT integration. These electrodes aim to provide a more comfortable alternative to traditional electrodes for athletes and patients needing long-term monitoring.
The smart textile electrodes utilize conductive threads woven into the fabric to capture electrical signals from muscles, allowing sportswear to measure muscle signals while absorbing sweat. Etana explained that the challenge was to design comfortable electrodes capable of measuring accurate signals, which led to the use of flexible and durable hybrid polyamide threads that make good contact with the skin.
A key innovation was the use of embroidery techniques to create the textile electrodes, improving fit, conductivity, and durability. Etana noted that embroidering electrodes might sound old-fashioned but is actually highly effective, as various designs were tested to determine which provides the best signal and comfort.
These electrodes have promising applications in sports, where athletes can receive real-time feedback on muscle activity during training to help prevent injuries, and in healthcare, where patients with muscle or nerve issues can be continuously monitored without the discomfort of sticky gel electrodes. According to Etana, this technology can not only measure muscle activity but also track trends over longer periods, which is crucial for rehabilitation and performance improvement.
The smart electrodes can wirelessly transmit data to a smartphone or computer, enabling personalized healthcare, even remotely. Etana concluded that smart textiles can play a major role in how we monitor health and sports performance, marking the dawn of a revolution in wearable technology.