POLYMER NANO-COMPOSITES AS DRY SENSOR MATERIAL FOR BIOSIGNAL SENSING

摘要

A multifunctional polymer nano-composite sensor system for detecting various biosignals like ECG and other kinds of signals for sensing strain, temperature and moisture has been disclosed. This sensor system includes (1) a polymer nano-composite sensor material that is flexible, elastic, soft, and conductive, (2) a sensor material fabricated into a desired shape or form, and (3) a signal capturing interface for collecting, transmitting and processing the signals. This sensor system can easily be integrated into a user environment for various user-transparent sensing applications. The present invention more specifically reveals a multi-functional nano-composite sensor for detecting biologically generated electrical signals which is comprised of a polymeric composition having an electrically conductive wire embedded therein, wherein the polymeric composition has a dispersion phase and a dispersed phase, wherein the dispersion phase is comprised of a thermoplastic polymer or a thermoset polymer, wherein the dispersed phase includes an electrically conductive filler, wherein the polymeric composition is gel-free, and wherein the electrically conductive wire is adapted for conveying an electrical signal to a signal processing device. The present invention further discloses a polymeric composition which is comprised of a thermoplastic polyurethane, a styrenic polymer, and at least one electrically conductive filler wherein the styrenic polymer is present in the composition at a level which is within the range of 10 weight percent to 50 weight percent and wherein the electrically conductive filler is present at a level which is within the range of 0.5 weight percent to 40 weight percent, based on the total weight of the polymeric composition.