Smart Textile Electrodes: A Step Forward in Muscle Monitoring

(27-01-2025) Researcher Bulcha Belay Etana from Ghent University has developed smart textile electrodes that comfortably monitor muscle activity, with applications in sports, healthcare, and IoT integration for personalized healthcare.

It may sound futuristic, but it’s already a reality: clothing that monitors your muscles. Researcher Bulcha Belay Etana from Ghent University has developed a new generation of smart textile electrodes capable of monitoring muscles without the discomfort of traditional electrodes. This innovation offers hope for athletes and patients in need of long-term and comfortable monitoring solutions.

What Are Smart Textile Electrodes?

Smart textiles are not a new concept, but advancements in this field are accelerating rapidly. Imagine sportswear that not only absorbs sweat but also measures signals from your muscles. This technology uses conductive threads woven into the fabric, designed to capture electrical signals emitted by muscles.

"The challenge is to design these electrodes to be both comfortable and capable of measuring accurate signals," explains Etana. "That’s why we used hybrid polyamide threads that are flexible, durable, and make good contact with the skin."

Innovation in Embroidery Techniques

A key breakthrough in the research was the use of embroidery techniques to create the textile electrodes. This approach not only ensures a better fit but also improves conductivity and durability. "Embroidering electrodes might sound old-fashioned, but it’s actually highly effective," says Etana. "We tested various designs to determine which provides the best signal and the highest comfort."

Applications in Sports and Healthcare

The applications are promising. Athletes can receive real-time feedback on their muscle activity during training, helping to prevent injuries. In healthcare, the potential is equally significant. Patients with muscle or nerve issues can be continuously monitored without the discomfort of sticky gel electrodes.

"With this technology, we can not only measure muscle activity but also track trends over longer periods. This is crucial for rehabilitation and performance improvement," Etana adds.

The Future: Smart Clothing with IoT

What makes this technology even more impressive is its integration with the Internet of Things (IoT). The smart electrodes can wirelessly transmit data to a smartphone or computer, paving the way for personalized healthcare, even remotely.

Etana concludes: "We are at the dawn of a revolution in wearable technology. Smart textiles can play a major role in how we monitor health and sports performance."

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PhD Title: Design and Development of Optimal Smart Textile Systems for sEMG Monitoring

Promotors: Lieva Van Langenhove, Benny Malengier and Janarthanan Krishnamoorthy

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Editor: Jeroen Ongenae - Illustrator: Roger Van Hecke