Rubber bands stretch healthcare limit

Irish researchers have found that microscopic sensors placed in a rubber band could enable them to monitor blood pressure or glucose levels — and even allow them to act as an early warning system for cot death.

The Trinity College Dublin team infused the shop-bought rubber bands with graphene, a micro-scopic material derived from pencil lead which is 10,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair.

The graphene made the rubber bands electrically conducive and further tests revealed that any electrical current flowing through was strongly affected if the band was stretched. Therefore, if the band is attached to clothing, the tiniest movements such as breath and pulse can be sensed.

Nanoscientist professor Jonathan Coleman, who led the team, said the graphene- infused rubber bands could also be used in other sectors.

“Other applications of rubber-graphene sensors could be in the automotive industry to develop sensitive airbags, in robotics, in medical device development to monitor bodily motion, and as an early warning for sleep apnoea in adults,” said Prof Coleman. “They could also be woven into clothing to monitor athletes’ movement or for patients undergoing physical rehabilitation.”

Alan Dalton of the University of Surrey added: “It sounds like a simple concept, but our graphene- infused rubber bands could really help to revolutionise certain aspects of healthcare.”

The research was led by Amber, the Science Foundation Ireland-funded materials science centre and the School of Physics at TCD. Working with University of Surrey researchers, the findings have been published in ACS Nano, a leading nanoscience publication.

Research and Innovation Minister Damien English said the discovery shows that Irish research is at the leading edge of material science worldwide.

Congratulating Prof Coleman and his team, Mr English said: “Material science underpins a wide range of market opportunities that have the greatest potential to deliver economic return through enterprise development, employment growth and job retention in Ireland.

“This discovery is a key stepping stone in our strategy of turning good ideas into good jobs.”