Gallium Membrane as a Sensor for Medical Data
They count steps, measure pulse, or analyze our sleep. Body-worn computer systems like the Apple Watch have gained increasing popularity in recent years. With the development of a gallium membrane only 250 nanometers thick, an engineering team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) could revolutionize the market for these “wearables.” The sensor membrane is about 100 times finer than a human hair and could make a significant contribution to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases.
Why Gallium?
Why Gallium? The metal is piezoelectric, meaning it generates electricity under pressure and deforms in response. This property allows it to “communicate” with human skin without consuming batteries or Bluetooth chips. Furthermore, the membrane reacts much more sensitively to changes in the skin. Thus, it can even detect salinity as well as the amount of cortisol and other biomarkers in the blood.
Wearables integrated into wristbands, chest straps, patches, and textiles are already a huge growth market in the healthcare industry. The fine gallium membrane could contribute to a significant advancement here.