Computer Threads Woven into Clothes for Advanced Health Monitoring
Wearable technology is taking a significant step forward with the integration of computers directly into the fabric of our clothing. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have created computer threads that can be stitched into clothes, capable of monitoring various aspects of the body and even being used to protect people in extreme environments.
A computer thread being braided with metal and textile yarns to make potential clothinghamilton osoy, IFM
Traditional wearable devices like smartwatches collect data from a single point on the body. This new technology, however, allows for the gathering of comprehensive, location-specific data from multiple points. These innovative computer threads are constructed with chips connected in a thread of copper and elastic fiber. Each thread possesses 256 kilobytes of on-board memory, akin to a simple calculator, along with sensors that detect temperature, heart rate, and body movements.
The threads also include Bluetooth capabilities, further enabling communication and collective data gathering. Yoel Fink from MIT explains the potential: “We’re getting very close to a point where we could write apps for fabrics and begin to monitor our health and do all kinds of things that a phone, frankly, cannot do.”
How the Computer Threads Are Made and Tested
The process involves folding the chips into a conducting box and connecting them via a copper wire before housing them in a protective plastic casing. This is then drawn into a thinner tube that can be covered with various fabrics, including cotton and Kevlar.
Initial tests involved stitching four of these threads into the arms and legs of a person’s clothing. Resulting data accurately identified the different movements the person made, such as lunges and squats.
Currently, the technology is being field-tested as part of Operation NANOOK, an annual military exercise led by the Canadian Armed Forces. The threads will record temperatures and other data from different parts of the body, providing valuable insights. This exercise will help gather information on the feasibility of the device in extreme conditions and its potential applications in protecting individuals in such environments.
Potential Applications
This technology has a broad range of potential applications. Theo Hughes-Riley from Nottingham Trent University, UK, points out that this innovation has the potential to detect dangerous falls in vulnerable populations. He indicates that the elimination of wires in sensor technologies significantly simplifies their design.
Further research is necessary to test the threads’ durability in day-to-day wear, especially with detergents. While researchers have successfully washed the threads with water, their staying power must be tested before widespread adoption is possible. The development of these computer threads signals a promising future for wearable technology and opens opportunities in medicine, environmental protection, and beyond.
