A Design-Led, Materials Based Approach to Human Centered Applications Using Modified Dielectric Electroactive Polymer Sensors

Toomey, Anne, Oliver, Raymond, O'Connor, Niamh and Stevenson-Keating, Patrick (2015) A Design-Led, Materials Based Approach to Human Centered Applications Using Modified Dielectric Electroactive Polymer Sensors. In: Sensor Systems and Software: 5th International Conference, S-CUBE 2014, Coventry, UK, October 6-7, 2014. Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering (143). Springer, Cham, pp. 11-19. ISBN 9783319171357, 9783319171364

Preview

Text sensor_paper_2014.pdf - Accepted Version Download (272kB) | Preview

Abstract

This paper describes a design-led exploratory scoping study into the potential use of an industry standard dielectric electroactive polymer (DEAP) sensor for applications in assistive healthcare. The focus of this activity was to explore the physical format and integration of soft materials and sensor combinations with properties that afford an opportunity for accurate and unobtrusive real time body mapping and monitoring. The work involved a series of practical investigations into the capacitance changes in the sensor brought on by deformation through different ways of stretching. The dielectric sensors were selected as a direct mapping tool against the body based on the similarity of the stretch qualities of both the sensor and human skin and muscle resulting in a prototype vest for real time breathing monitoring through sensing thoracic movement. This involved modification of the standard sensors and handcrafting bespoke sensors to map critically relevant areas of the thorax.

Actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads