KAIST researchers develop new sweat-resistant wearable technology

A research team, led by Professor Jae-Woong Jung from the KAIST School of Electrical Engineering and Professor Jung Kim from the KAIST Department of Mechanical Engineering, has developed a stretchable and adhesive microneedle sensor that can electrically sense physiological signals at a high level without being affected by the state of the user’s skin.

For wearable robots to recognise the intentions behind human movement, primarily for their use in rehabilitation treatment, they require a wearable electrophysiological sensor that gives precise EMG measurements.

The researchers said that existing sensors often show deteriorating signal quality over time and are affected by the user’s skin conditions. A sensor’s higher mechanical hardness can also cause noise since the contact surface is unable to keep up with the deformation of the skin. According to the researchers, these shortcomings limit the reliable, long-term control of wearable robots.

This new technology aims to allow ‘long-term and high-quality’ EMG measurements as it uses a stretchable and adhesive conducting substrate integrated with microneedle arrays that can easily penetrate the stratum corneum without causing discomfort.