Nanotube fibres sewn into sportswear to monitor heart health

The fibres are as conductive as metal wires, but washable, comfortable and less likely to break when a body is in motion, claim researchers from the Brown School of Engineering lab of chemical and biomolecular engineer Matteo Pasquali. The team’s findings have been reported in Nano Letters.

The shirt is said to be better at gathering data than a standard chest-strap monitor taking live measurements during experiments. When matched with commercial medical electrode monitors, the carbon nanotube shirt gave slightly better EKGs.

“The shirt has to be snug against the chest,” said Rice graduate student Lauren Taylor, lead author of the study. “In future studies, we will focus on using denser patches of carbon nanotube threads so there’s more surface area to contact the skin.”

The researchers noted nanotube fibres are soft and flexible, and clothing that incorporates them is machine washable. The fibres can be machine-sewn into fabric just like standard thread. The zigzag stitching pattern allows the fabric to stretch without breaking them.