Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a common fear among parents (especially new parents). Cautious parents typically sneak into their child's room to check on their breathing pattern's while sleeping or even co-sleep so it's easier to constantly monitor them. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration IZM in Berlin created a concept Romper suit to protect against this potentially devastating event. The suit includes an "integrated sensor system could warn parents as soon as their child stops breathing. The cornerstone of the sensor system is a stretchable printed circuit board that fits to the contours of the body, making it hardly noticeable."
How it works
"The circuit board is made of polyurethane, also known as PU. This is a cost-efficient material more commonly used for coating surfaces, as a sealant, or as a cushioning material. 'The circuit board we have developed can be manufactured using routine industrial processes, meaning a high throughput and, consequently, good cost-efficiency,' says Manuel Seckel, scientist at the IZM. 'Furthermore, components can be positioned on it just as precisely as on a standard board thanks to the stability of the stretchable substrate during processing. This stands in contrast to textile-based electronics, where one can expect an offset of up to five millimeters over a half-meter area.'"
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