Wearable sticker converts hand movements into communication

The new wearable sticker is made from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a type of silicone elastomer that is very flexible and skin friendly.

To give the patch its movement-sensing capability, the researchers embedded the PDMS with fibre Bragg grating (FBG), a type of reflector that is etched into a short segment of optical fibre to reflect specific wavelengths while transmitting all the others.

Researchers said the sensor makes it possible to detect slight changes in the way light propagates through the fibre optic during movement, allowing the system to detect specific movements by analysing the alterations in light behaviour.

In a statement, Kun Xiao from Beijing Normal University in China, said: “For someone recovering from a stroke, these sensors could monitor wrist, finger or even facial movements to monitor their rehabilitation progression.

“For individuals with severe mobility or speech impairments, the sensors could translate gestures or facial expressions into words or commands, enabling them to communicate with others or interact with technology more easily.”