“By introducing a ground-breaking fusion of culinary artistry and cutting-edge nanotechnology, we harnessed the extraordinary properties of newly created seaweed-graphene microcapsules that redefine the possibilities of wearable electronics.”Dimitrios Papageorgiou, Queen Mary University of London
Currently, much of the research on nanocomposite-based sensors involves non-sustainable materials. This means that these devices contribute to plastic waste when they are no longer in use. Now, in a paper in Advanced Functional Materials, researchers report, for the first time, combining molecular gastronomy concepts with biodegradable materials to create nanocomposite-based sensors that are not only environmentally friendly but also have the potential to outperform non-sustainable sensors.
The researchers used seaweed and salt, two very commonly used materials in the restaurant industry, to create graphene capsules comprising a solid seaweed/graphene gel layer surrounding a liquid graphene ink core. This technique is similar to the way Michelin star restaurants serve capsules comprising a solid seaweed/raspberry jam layer surrounding a liquid jam core.
Unlike the molecular gastronomy capsules though, the graphene capsules are very sensitive to pressure; so, when squeezed or compressed, their electrical properties change dramatically. This means they can be utilized as highly efficient strain sensors and can facilitate the creation of smart, wearable skin-on devices for conducting high precision, real-time biomechanical and vital signs measurements.
“By introducing a ground-breaking fusion of culinary artistry and cutting-edge nanotechnology, we harnessed the extraordinary properties of newly created seaweed-graphene microcapsules that redefine the possibilities of wearable electronics,” said Dimitrios Papageorgiou, lecturer in materials science at Queen Mary University of London, UK. “Our discoveries offer a powerful framework for scientists to reinvent nanocomposite wearable technologies for high-precision health diagnostics, while our commitment to recyclable and biodegradable materials is fully aligned with environmentally conscious innovation.”
This research can now be used as a blueprint by other labs to understand and manipulate the strain-sensing properties of similar materials, pushing the concept of nano-based wearable technologies to new heights. The fact that these capsules are made using recyclable and biodegradable materials also offers a more sustainable approach to producing wearable sensing devices.
“We are also very proud of the collaborative effort between Dr Conor Boland’s group from University of Sussex and my group from Queen Mary University of London that fuelled this ground-breaking research,” said Papageorgiou. “This partnership exemplifies the power of scientific collaboration, bringing together diverse expertise to push the boundaries of innovation.”
This story is adapted from material from Queen Mary University of London, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier. Link to original source.