Scientists from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) in Bengaluru have developed a groundbreaking wearable device capable of detecting and adapting to stress, mirroring the human body’s natural pain response. This innovation, they claim, could transform health monitoring and enhance human-machine interaction.
Inspired by the human body’s nociceptors, which detect pain and help adapt to repeated stimuli through habituation, the researchers designed an artificial equivalent. The device comprises a network of silver wires embedded in stretchable material. When the material is stretched, gaps form in the silver network, temporarily breaking electrical connections. Over time, the device “heals” these gaps, adjusting its sensitivity in a way that mimics how humans become less responsive to repeated pain.
Unlike traditional sensors that rely on complex external systems, this device integrates sensing and adaptive response in a single flexible unit. It not only detects strain but also learns from it, enabling more natural and intuitive interactions.
“This technology is a significant step toward creating intelligent materials that respond to their environment,” said the Department of Science and Technology (DST). JNCASR is an autonomous institute under DST.
The potential applications are vast, ranging from advanced health monitoring systems that provide real-time feedback on stress levels to improving safety in robotics by making machines more responsive to physical interactions.
As reported by economictimes, the study was published in the journal Materials Horizons by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Researchers believe their innovation could pave the way for intuitive wearable technology, revolutionizing healthcare and other industries.