Study, design and development of biocompatible graphene-based piezoresistive wearable sensors for human monitoring

Wearable systems have become an integral part of our daily lives. Scientific research has succeeded in integrating various systems for monitoring human physiological parameters such as heart rate, respiration, sweating, and more. In this context, the proposed work focuses on the study, design, and development of an innovative wearable sensor based on graphene. The device was produced using a screen-printing ink filled with graphene nanoplatelets and it was integrated into a fabric through the transfer printing process. The graphene-filled ink was optimized with respect to the filler concentration, enabling the production of a smart textile that incorporates high-performance deformation sensors. Another innovative aspect of this study concerns the investigation of the biocompatibility of the sensor-integrated fabric through in vitro tests using human keratinocytes. Lastly, the sensor was integrated into a garment and tested in an operational environment for the monitoring of elbow joint movement. The results obtained indicate the potential to scale up the developed sensor technology, according to the specific considered application, while maintaining high sensitivity and process scalability. Furthermore, ensuring biocompatibility makes the proposed solution valuable for human monitoring using wearable devices.