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Stretchable optical fiber strain sensor comprising zinc oxide and PDMS for human motion monitoring

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Abstract

Wearable sensors are extensively used in various healthcare applications, including human motion monitoring. Stretchable, soft, and flexible strain sensors are essential for the fabrication of smart wearable devices for human motion monitoring. In this study, we propose a zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle-composited polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer fiber with good mechanical properties. This polymer optical fiber was successfully measured for human joints and had a reliability of 99 %. To obtain a calibration curve, the polymer fiber sensor obtained data on the change in optical loss with angle at a resolution of 15° within the 0–90° range. The calibration curve was used in the joint motion monitoring to measure the unknown strain and angle values in real-time. The strain measurement of the ZnO-PDMS optical fiber (ZPOF) sensor is evaluated in various conditions, including human joints, wet conditions, and hand tremors. The results demonstrate that the ZPOF sensor can be used in wearable devices for various healthcare applications, such as rehabilitation, sports, and physical therapy.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean government (MEST) (NRF2017R1A2B3011222). This work was supported by the Technology Innovation Program (20013794, Center for Composite Materials and Concurrent Design) funded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE, Korea).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Korea

    Dongjoo Shin, Eungchul Kim & Taesung Kim

  2. SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SAINT), Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Korea

    Gunhoo Woo & Taesung Kim

Authors
  1. Dongjoo Shin
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  2. Eungchul Kim
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Correspondence to Taesung Kim.

Additional information

Dongjoo Shin received Bachelor of Science degree in Electric Electronic Engineering from Sungkyunkwan University, Korea in 2017. Currently, he is a candidate of combined master and doctorate program in Department of Mechanical Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University. His research field is focused on optical fiber and optical sensor applications.

Eungchul Kim received Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Sungkyunkwan University, Korea in 2017. Currently, he is a candidate of combined master and doctorate program in Department of Mechanical Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University. His research field is focused on sensor measurement and applications.

Gunhoo Woo received Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Sungkyunkwan University, Korea in 2019. Currently, he is a candidate of combined master and doctorate program in Department of SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SAINT) at Sungkyunkwan University. His research field is focused on fabrication of polymer and sensor applications.

Taesung Kim received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Seoul National University of Technology, Korea in 1994. He received his Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Minnesota University, USA in 1998 and 2002, respectively. Dr. Kim currently works as Professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering and Adjunct Professor in the SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SAINT) at Sungkyunkwan University in Suwon, Korea. His research interests include nanoparticle synthesis, development of applications related with bio aerosol, Chemical Mechanical Polishing, and thin film synthesis.

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Shin, D., Kim, E., Woo, G. et al. Stretchable optical fiber strain sensor comprising zinc oxide and PDMS for human motion monitoring. J Mech Sci Technol 37, 3205–3212 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-023-0544-0

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