A highly sensitive stretchable strain sensor based on multi-functionalized fabric for respiration monitoring and identification

Wearable strain sensors have generated considerable recent research interest due to their huge potential in the real-time detection of human body deformation. State-of-the-art strain sensors are normally fabricated through conductive networks with a single sensing element, which always faces the challenge of either limited stretchability or inferior quality in sensitivity. In this work, we report a highly sensitive strain sensor based on a multi-functionalized fabric through carbonization and polymer-assisted copper deposition. The sensor shows high sensitivity (Gauge factor ∼ 3557.6 in the strain range from 0 to 48%), and outstanding stretchability up to the strain of 300%, which is capable of detecting different types of deformation of the human body. By integrating the high-performance sensor with a deep learning network, we demonstrate a high-accuracy respiration monitoring and emergency alarm system, showing the enormous application potential of the sensor in personal and public healthcare.