Wearable Sensor for Forearm Motion Detection Using a Carbon-Based Conductive Layer-Polymer Composite Film

In this study, we developed a fabrication method for a bracelet-type wearable sensor to detect four motions of the forearm by using a carbon-based conductive layer-polymer composite film. The integral material used for the composite film is a polyethylene terephthalate polymer film with a conductive layer composed of a carbon paste. It is capable of detecting the resistance variations corresponding to the flexion changes of the surface of the body due to muscle contraction and relaxation. To effectively detect the surface resistance variations of the film, a small sensor module composed of mechanical parts mounted on the film was designed and fabricated. A subject wore the bracelet sensor, consisting of three such sensor modules, on their forearm. The surface resistance of the film varied corresponding to the flexion change of the contact area between the forearm and the sensor modules. The surface resistance variations of the film were converted to voltage signals and used for motion detection. The results demonstrate that the thin bracelet-type wearable sensor, which is comfortable to wear and easily applicable, successfully detected each motion with high accuracy.