Bengaluru: Researchers from Bengaluru created a breakthrough wearable device that can detect and adapt to stress, mimicking how the human body processes pain. The innovation, researchers from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) say, could revolutionise health monitoring and enhance human-machine interaction.
The human body’s pain response system is remarkably sophisticated. Special sensors called nociceptors detect pain and help us respond to harmful situations, while our nervous system gradually adapts to repeated stimuli through habituation — essentially learning to feel less pain over time.
Drawing inspiration from this biological system, JNCASR researchers created an artificial version. Their device uses a network of silver wires embedded in stretchable material. When stretched, the material creates gaps in the silver network, temporarily disrupting electrical connections. Remarkably, the device can “heal” these gaps and adjust its response over time – similar to how humans become less sensitive to repeated pain.
What makes this technology particularly exciting is its simplicity. Unlike traditional sensors that require complex external systems, this device combines both sensing and adaptation in a single, flexible unit. When stretched, it doesn’t just detect the strain — it learns from it, creating a more natural and intuitive response over time.
JNCASR is an autonomous institute under the department of science and technology. “This technology combines sensing and adaptive response in a single, flexible unit. It’s a significant step toward creating materials that can respond intelligently to their environment,” DST said.
The potential applications are far-reaching. The device could lead to advanced health monitoring systems that provide real-time feedback to medical professionals about a patient’s stress levels. It could also improve safety in robotics by making machines more responsive to physical interactions.
The research was published in the journal Materials Horizons, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), and the research team believes their innovation could pave the way for more intuitive and responsive wearable technology in healthcare and beyond.
