Development of Textile Based Antennas

Project Title

Development of Textile Based Antennas

Project Area of Specialization Wearables and ImplantableProject Summary

With recent advancements in the field of e-textile and health monitoring system, a wide range of research has been carried out to explore new materials and solve ongoing problems. Flexible electronics can be developed using different methods, but embroidered based devices provides superior properties and are ideal for wearable applications because these can be seamlessly integrated into fabrics while having no deteriorating effect on fabric properties, making them an ideal choice for developing wearable health monitoring devices. This project aims to develop textile-based antennas to monitor body’s vital signs and transfer this data wirelessly to remote devices. We seek to grant funding for this particular project idea thereby making it a truly collaborative effort.

Project Objectives

1- Review literature related to e-textiles, respiration rate monitoring and textile based conductive material and identify gaps in the investigations have been carried out so far.

2- Development of textile antenna on a Brother commercial embroidery machine using a plied bundle of stainless-steel filaments as conductive yarn, a cotton fabric is used as the non-conductive substrate and an elastic fabric is used as the stretchable insulating layer between the two coils.

3- To observe the sensitivity of the sensor to the displacement, change in frequency and inductance variation will also be observed to determine the relationship between inductance variation and displacement.

4- Development of a circuit and its integration into smart textile to perform as an interface between the sensor and monitoring device.

5- Preparation of a model design of the smart belt with accurate positioning and by focusing on the comfort ability of wearer.

Project Implementation Method

Development of initial prototype: This includes the development of textile-based antennas using the methods discussed in literature for proof-of-concept.

Laboratory Characterization: This includes development of prototypes by varying different manufacturing parameters (size of embroidery, conductive yarn used, base fabric used)

Testing of developed samples: This includes the testing of samples using Vector Network Analyzer to assess the sensitivity of the developed antennas.

Benefits of the Project

The project has the potential to record body’s vital signs and send them to remote devices. This will enable healthcare practitioners better analyze the patient’s data and would thus reduce need for hospital visits. In addition, this would also help the caretakers of patients to get regular update of patient’s health condition through live monitoring and get notified in case of an emergency.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

The project hopes to develop a smart belt using off the shelf textile fabrics and conductive yarn which will be able to sense and record body's vital signs and send them to remote devices

Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemCore Industry HealthOther IndustriesCore Technology Wearables and ImplantablesOther TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Good Health and Well-Being for PeopleRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	79750
Conductive yarn	Equipment	2	15000	30000
Elastic material	Equipment	2	500	1000
Measurement adapter	Equipment	1	6000	6000
NFC readers antenna	Equipment	2	5000	10000
30pf capacitor	Equipment	50	5	250
RFID/NFC tag chip	Equipment	1	2500	2500
Sniffer antenna	Equipment	1	2000	2000
RFID reader	Equipment	1	17000	17000
Cotton fabric	Equipment	2	500	1000
Publication	Miscellaneous	300	10	3000
Others	Miscellaneous	1	6000	6000
stationary	Miscellaneous	1	1000	1000