Stress-detecting wearable devices developed in India

Scientists have developed a groundbreaking device capable of sensing strain, mimicking the perception of pain, and adapting its electrical response accordingly. This innovative technology uses a network of silver wires embedded in a stretchable material to replicate pain-like responses. By doing so, it sets the stage for future smart wearable systems that could revolutionize healthcare by helping doctors detect stress more effectively.

In an era where technology that emulates human sensory capabilities is in high demand, such advancements have immense potential. From healthcare to robotics, the need for materials that can detect stress or pain and respond intelligently is critical. These materials can enhance safety, make wearable technology more intuitive, and improve interactions between humans and machines.

The concept of neuromorphic devices, inspired by the human brain, plays a key role in this innovation. In the human body, nociceptors are specialized sensors that detect pain, triggering responses to harmful stimuli. Over time, repeated exposure to the same stimuli can lead to reduced pain intensity, a phenomenon known as habituation.

Researchers from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) in Bengaluru, under the Department of Science and Technology, drew inspiration from this biological process. They created a strain sensor that not only detects but also adapts and “learns” from repeated stress. The device incorporates a network of nanoscale silver wires within a flexible material.

When stretched, gaps form within the silver wire network, temporarily interrupting the electrical flow. An electric pulse prompts the silver to close these gaps, reconnecting the network and effectively “remembering” the event. With each cycle of stretching and repair, the device adjusts its response, mimicking the way the human body adapts to recurring pain. This self-regulating ability makes it a unique blend of sensing and adaptive functionality in a single, flexible unit.

Published in the Materials Horizons journal by the Royal Society of Chemistry, this research could pave the way for advanced health monitoring systems that “feel” stress similarly to the human body, offering real-time feedback to users or medical professionals. The technology also has potential applications in robotics, enabling machines to interact more safely and intuitively with humans.