Researchers In The US Create Smart T-shirts, Can Monitor Heart Rate

Smart t-shirt can detect heart rate. (photo: Rice University)

JAKARTA - So far, people who like to exercise need a smart watch or chest strap monitor to monitor their heart rate. But now, there is another alternative besides using a smartwatch, namely with a smart t-shirt.

Researchers from Rice University, Houston, United States (US) developed an athletic shirt that can monitor the user's heart rate during exercise. This t-shirt is made of carbon nanotube yarn, allowing users to keep an eye on the condition of the body without additional devices, as quoted from Slashgear, Thursday, September 2.

The researchers explain that the thread is sewn into a regular athletic jersey, which allows continuous heart rate monitoring and echocardiogram of the wearer because carbon nanotubes are just as conductive as traditional metals.

Furthermore, the use of carbon nanotube fibers is also the right decision because it can be machine washed. Interestingly, the yarn with this fiber is also flexible so it doesn't break easily when the user does a lot of movement during exercise.

The researchers claim, this smart t-shirt is able to work better than a chest strap monitor, in collecting direct measurement data. Not only that, the t-shirt is also compatible with commercial medical monitors and provides better ECG results.

For accurate results, it should be noted that the use of the t-shirt must fit the owner's body shape. Furthermore, the researchers also plan to continue developing their smart shirts, and plan to use more carbon nanotube threads to increase the contact area with the skin.