Students from Rice University in Texas have integrated a thread into clothing that is able to monitor a user’s heart rate.

The thread, which is conductive and consists of carbon nanotubes, is machine-sewn in a zig-zag pattern that ensures the elasticity of the fabric. This formation of the thread is also said to decrease the chances of the fabric tearing.

Clothing with these fibres is said to be machine washable, with an electrocardiogram (EKG) being made possible when paired with a commercial medical electrode monitor according to an article via The Engineer. 

Looking forward, Rice University graduate student Lauren Taylor who is the lead author of the study, mentions how the fibres could both improve and play and part in the future, with integration into military uniforms as protection from ballistic weapons having some potential.

“In future studies, we will focus on using denser patches of carbon nanotube threads so there’s more surface area to contact the skin,” said Taylor.

“We demonstrated with a collaborator a few years ago that carbon nanotube fibres are better at dissipating energy on a per-weight basis than Kevlar, and that was without some of the gains that we’ve had since in tensile strength.”