Research
We do research on a wide variety of electrical and mechanical devices for applications to new technologies. Select one of the categories above or see some of our current projects below.
Current Projects
A transparent stretchable touch sensor based on low cost stretchable gel ionic conductors and silicone materials was developed, towards wide applications in soft robotic skin, wearables, and flexible consumer electronics. Transparent tactile sensors based on metal and carbon conductive materials can operate while bent, while our device demonstrates sensitivity to even finger proximity during […]
When a polymer swollen in electrolyte experiences mechanical deformation, it creates an inhomogeneous ionic distribution that causes a generation of voltage. This is theorized to be due to the difference in mobilities between cationic and anionic species, which creates a localized charge gradient when pressure is applied. We are investigating the usage of this effect […]
Pressure ulcers, also known as pressure injuries or bedsores, are considered a major health concern – one of the most costly, preventable and physically debilitating conditions of the 21st century. Most vulnerable to this condition are individuals confined to wheelchairs and/or beds due to injury, illness or age. To reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers […]
With limbs affected by trauma, disease, or congenital factors, amputees have to mainly rely on sight to control and manipulate objects while using a prosthesis. We are working with Barber Prosthetics Clinic to help prosthesis users recover a sense of touch and pressure. Using highly sensitive soft sensors implemented into a low-cost and low-maintenance fingertip […]
PEDOT (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)) is an electrically conducting and electrochromic polymer that changes colour with the application of voltage between dark blue and close to transparent (light blue). With additives it can be made highly stretchable while remaining conductive. We are taking advantage of these stretchable electrochromic conducting polymers in combination with other stretchable material component layers […]
Conducting polymers, such as PEDOT and Polypyrrole (PPy), feature a combination of properties such as bio-compatibility, low density, low operating voltage, high work density, and scalability, which makes them promising for use in medical, tactile feedback and other applications. Read also about our Steerable Catheter project using conducting polymer actuators. In particular, the combination of […]
We are part of an international team that developed high-strength polymer fibers twisted into coils to make low-cost highly efficient actuators with powerful, large stroke and high stress capabilities, as published in Science. They can contract by almost 50%, lift loads >100 times heavier than human muscle of the same length and mass and generate […]
We are developing a platform technology to enable highly conformal wearable electronics. This platform is composed of a soft stretchable circuit board substrate with the ability to pattern complex circuits and solder surface mount components directly onto it. This makes it easily adaptable to conventional manufacturing processes with the added benefits of the high conformability […]
We are developing a catheter that actively bends in response to applied voltage. This project in collaboration with Victor Yang’s group at Ryerson University and Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, seeks to demonstrate active catheters for use in accessing and locally imaging arteries within the heart. Catheters are tubular devices sometimes used to treat strokes and aneurysms, […]
