Toward Continuous Breath Monitoring on a Mobile Phone Using a Frugal Conducting Cloth-Based Smart Mask

A frugal humidity sensor that can detect changes in the humidity of exhaled breath of individuals has been fabricated. The sensor comprises a humidity-sensitive conducting polymer that is in situ formed on a cloth that acts as a substrate. Interdigitated silver electrodes were screen-printed on the modified cloth, and conducting threads connected the electrodes to the measurement circuit. The sensor's response to changing humidity was measured as a voltage drop across the sensor using a microcontroller. The sensor was capable of discerning between fast, normal, and slow breathing based on the response time. A response time of similar to 1.3 s was observed for fast breathing. An Android-based mobile application was designed to collect sensor data via Bluetooth for analysis. A time series classification algorithm was implemented to analyze patterns in breathing. The sensor was later stitched onto a face mask, transforming it into a smart mask that can monitor changes in the breathing pattern at work, play, and sleep.

Automated summary

A frugal humidity sensor has been developed to detect changes in the humidity of exhaled breath. The sensor is made using a cloth as a substrate, with a humidity-sensitive conducting polymer formed on it. Screen-printed silver electrodes and conducting threads connect the sensor to the measurement circuit. The sensor's response time allows for differentiation between fast, normal, and slow breathing. An Android-based mobile application and time series classification algorithm have been used for data collection and analysis. The sensor has also been integrated into a face mask to create a smart mask for monitoring breathing patterns.