Respiratory rate sensor for precise monitoring

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K13767
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 21030:Measurement engineering-related
• Research Institution: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (2019); Kobe University (2018)
• Principal Investigator: Kano Shinya 国立研究開発法人産業技術総合研究所, エレクトロニクス・製造領域, 研究員 (20734198)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 呼吸 / 湿度センサ / ナノ粒子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study is to produce a precise portable sensor to monitor human respiratory rates under body motions. We carried out an impedance analysis of nanoparticle-based humidity sensors using an environmental-controlled chamber. We investigated an appropriate size of nanoparticles and coating condition. Fabricated sensors showed 2 s of response time. We fabricated a portable respiratory rate sensor using an oxygen mask. A humidity sensor chip and a data logger were attached on the mask. We showed the respiratory rate sensor could monitor respiratory rates of subjects at rest/walking/running. We also compared the sensor with a conventional instrument for respiratory monitoring and found that the monitored respiratory rates under running were valid.

Free Research Field

センサ、ナノ材料

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年、高速に応答する湿度センサの研究が盛んに行われている。今回の研究成果はこの分野への貢献をするものである。高速に応答する湿度センサが一般に普及することで、一般の社会へより精密な湿度コントロールを提供することが期待できる。また、呼吸計に関しては、今回の方式での呼吸計測法が普及すると、今まで呼吸計測が難しかった振動や体動がある場面での計測が行えることが期待できる。