Indian Scientists Create Wearable Devices to Monitor Stress Levels

New Delhi: Researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) in Bengaluru, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, have developed a groundbreaking wearable device capable of detecting and adapting to stress.

This innovative neuromorphic device—an electronic system designed to emulate neuron and synapse functions—was constructed using a silver wire network embedded in a stretchable material. The device not only senses strain but also mimics the perception of pain and adapts its electrical response accordingly, enabling real-time stress detection.

“These pain-like responses in the device pave the way for future smart wearable systems that can help doctors detect and monitor stress,” the researchers explained.

When the material is stretched, small gaps form within the silver network, temporarily interrupting the electrical pathway. An electric pulse can reconnect these pathways, allowing the device to "remember" the event. With each stretch and reconnection, the device adjusts its response, mimicking the body's natural adaptation to repeated pain over time.

“This dynamic process enables the device to simulate memory and adaptation, bringing us closer to materials that intelligently respond to their environment,” the researchers noted in their study, published in Materials Horizons, a journal by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

The device combines sensing and adaptive response into a single, flexible unit, offering a streamlined approach for technology to naturally adapt to its environment without relying on complex setups or external sensors.

According to the researchers, this innovation could lead to advanced health monitoring systems that “feel” stress similarly to the human body, providing real-time feedback to doctors or users. Stress, a known precursor to various health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, obesity, and diabetes, can significantly impact physical and mental health.

The research also holds potential for robotics, improving the safety and intuitiveness of machines working alongside humans. These advancements may enable robotic systems to better respond to their environment, enhancing human-machine collaboration.

This device represents a significant step toward smarter, more adaptive wearable technology, bridging the gap between artificial systems and human-like responses.