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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : December 13, 2014 6:51 PM IST
New York, Dec 13: A sensor that puts spider sense to good use has been invented by South Korean researchers. The sensor can recognise the faintest vibration, simple words and monitor heartbeats. Spiders sense movements through an organ called 'slit sensilla' in the joints of their legs. The research was published in the journal Nature. (Read: Why a steady heartbeat is bad for you)
What is it made up of?
Mansoo Choi from Seoul National University in Korea and his colleagues created the wearable and flexible sensor by copying the design of this organ. With a platinum film on top of a soft polymer, with cracks in it, the 'nanoscale crack sensor' stretches or compresses, when it feels vibrations. These movements change the resistance of an electrical circuit. (Read: External Loop Recorder (ELR) New way to monitor heart rate)
How does it work?
'By attaching the sensor to a violin, the team was able to convert vibration from the strings into digital recordings. A tiny ladybird (insect) flapping its wings was detected,' the researchers said. Worn by people around their necks, the device recognised simple words from computer games, like 'go,' 'jump,' 'shoot' and 'stop.' On the the wrist, the sensor detected heartbeats through blood vessels, the team said. (Read: Tachycardia or increased heart rate 5 causes you should know)
With inputs from IANS
Image Source: Getty Images
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