Artifact (error)

Engineering

Biomedical engineering

Materials science

Continuous monitoring

Conformable matrix

Embedded system

Computer science

Physical chemistry

Polarization (electrochemistry)

Physics

Optics

Wearable computer

Operations management

Artificial intelligence

Motion sensors

Composite material

Medicine

Chemistry

Birefringence

Polarizer

Computer vision

Science Advances

Skin-attachable sensors, which represent the ultimate form of wearable electronic devices that ensure conformal contact with skin, suffer from motion artifact limitations owing to relative changes in position between the sensor and skin during physical activities. In this study, a polarization-selective structure of a skin-conformable photoplethysmographic (PPG) sensor was developed to decrease the amount of scattered light from the epidermis, which is the main cause of motion artifacts. The motion artifacts were suppressed more than 10-fold in comparison with those of rigid sensors. The developed sensor-with two orthogonal polarizers-facilitated successful PPG signal monitoring during wrist angle movements corresponding to high levels of physical activity, enabling continuous monitoring of daily activities, even while exercising for personal health care.

Stretchable PPG sensor with light polarization for physical activity–permissible monitoring