Prof Jonathan Coleman

Irish researchers use rubber bands to discover new applications for graphene

Life
Prof Jonathan Coleman, Amber

20 August 2014

Researchers at AMBER and the School of Physics at Trinity College Dublin have discovered a method of creating wearable sensors by adding graphene to shop-bought rubber bands. Working with researchers from the University of Surrey, their breakthrough findings have been published in international nanoscience publication ACS Nano.

The team, led by Prof Jonathan Coleman, infused rubber bands with graphene, a nano-material derived from pencil lead 10,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair.

This process is simple and compatible with normal manufacturing techniques. While rubber does not normally conduct electricity, the addition of graphene made the rubber bands electrically conductive without degrading the mechanical properties of the rubber. Tests showed that, any electrical current flowing through the graphene-infused rubber bands was strongly affected if the band was stretched. As a result, if a band is attached to clothing, the tiniest movements such as breath and pulse can be detected.

The discovery opens up a host of possibilities for the development of wearable sensors from rubber, which could be used to monitor blood pressure, joint movement, respiration and blood glucose. Other applications could be in the automotive industry (to develop sensitive airbags); robotics; in medical device development (to monitor bodily motion); and as an early warning system for cot death in babies or sleep apnoea in adults. They could also be woven into clothing to monitor athletes’ movement or for patients undergoing physical rehabilitation.

Prof Jonathan Coleman of AMBER (pictured) said of the discovery: “Sensors are becoming extremely important in medicine, wellness and exercise, medical device manufacturing, car manufacturing and robotics, among other areas. Biosensors, which are worn on or implanted into the skin, must be made of durable, flexible and stretchable materials that respond to the motion of the wearer. By implanting graphene into rubber, a flexible natural material, we are able to completely change its properties to make it electrically conductive, to develop a completely new type of sensor. Because rubber is available widely and cheaply, this unique discovery will open up major possibilities in sensor manufacturing worldwide.”

Co-author of the paper Dr Alan Dalton from the University of Surrey continued: “Until now, no such sensor has been produced that meets needs and that can be easily made. It sounds like a simple concept, but our graphene-infused rubber bands could really help to revolutionise certain aspects of healthcare.”

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