아기 기저귀에 과학기술이 더해지고 있다.
도쿄대학의 타카오 소메야 교수를 비롯한 연구진은 기저귀 안쪽에 얇은 회로를 부착해 아기 상태를 자동으로 알려주는 ‘스마트 기저귀’를 개발했다.
이 기저귀는 플라스틱보다 얇으면서 자유자재로 휘어지는 회로를 단 것으로 지난 7월 세계적 과학잡지 ‘네이처’에 실리기도 했다.
기저귀 안쪽에 부착된 가로 8cm, 세로 5cm 정도의 회로가 온도, 압력, 습도를 측정해 아기가 용변을 봤는지 확인한다.
연구진은 지난해 QR 코드가 달려서 아이폰 전용 애플리케이션으로 아기의 소변 성분을 분석해 건강상태를 알려주는 앱을 개발한 바 있다.
(코리아헤럴드 이신영 인턴기자 sylee@heraldcorp.com)
기저귀 안쪽에 부착된 가로 8cm, 세로 5cm 정도의 회로가 온도, 압력, 습도를 측정해 아기가 용변을 봤는지 확인한다.
연구진은 지난해 QR 코드가 달려서 아이폰 전용 애플리케이션으로 아기의 소변 성분을 분석해 건강상태를 알려주는 앱을 개발한 바 있다.
(코리아헤럴드 이신영 인턴기자 sylee@heraldcorp.com)
<관련 영문 기사>
‘Smart diapers’ to alert carers when it’s time for a change
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a super-thin sensor that can go inside diapers to detect when it’s time for a change, U.S. technology media Website Cnet reported.
The device, measuring around 7 centimeters by 5 centimeters, monitors pressure, temperature, and wetness to check when the diaper has been soiled.
Researchers developed flexible circuits, thinner than a piece of plastic wrap, that could be implanted in the body to monitor body temperature or blood pressure or implanted on the roof of the mouth to be used as a touch pad for quadriplegics. This technology was announced in the journal Nature last year.
The new use for the sensor is designed diapers more intelligent, which could help parents know when their baby needs a new diaper, or care providers avoid undressing adults who use diapers just to see if they need changing.
By Lee Shin-young, Intern reporter (sylee@heraldcorp.com)
‘Smart diapers’ to alert carers when it’s time for a change
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a super-thin sensor that can go inside diapers to detect when it’s time for a change, U.S. technology media Website Cnet reported.
The device, measuring around 7 centimeters by 5 centimeters, monitors pressure, temperature, and wetness to check when the diaper has been soiled.
Researchers developed flexible circuits, thinner than a piece of plastic wrap, that could be implanted in the body to monitor body temperature or blood pressure or implanted on the roof of the mouth to be used as a touch pad for quadriplegics. This technology was announced in the journal Nature last year.
The new use for the sensor is designed diapers more intelligent, which could help parents know when their baby needs a new diaper, or care providers avoid undressing adults who use diapers just to see if they need changing.
By Lee Shin-young, Intern reporter (sylee@heraldcorp.com)