Patent Title: Wearable graphene textile-based electro-ocular monitoring and object interaction system
IP Status: Granted US patent
Technology Area: Wearable Technologies / Graphene Textiles / Biosignal Monitoring / Human–Machine Interaction
TRL: 6
A graphene-textile electrode technology enabling comfortable, gel-free and wearable acquisition of biopotential signals, providing an alternative to conventional electrodes for long-term monitoring while opening new possibilities for eye-movement-driven human–machine interaction.
Technology Overview
This technology provides a wearable sensing platform for acquiring biopotential signals through graphene-coated textile electrodes. Its primary implementation focuses on electrooculography (EOG), capturing electrical signals generated by eye movements and converting these signals into commands that can be used for human–computer and human–machine interaction.
The system replaces conventional gel-based wet electrodes with dry textile electrodes that can be integrated into a headband or other wearable textile structures. This allows the sensing elements to become part of a flexible wearable surface rather than relying on separate rigid electrodes and conductive gels.
The conductive textiles can be produced by coating common fabrics such as nylon, cotton and polyester with graphene-based conductive layers. Biopotential signals collected from the textile electrodes are conditioned, filtered and digitally processed. Characteristic signal patterns associated with blinking, gaze direction and different eye movements can then be classified and converted into control commands for computers, electronic devices or other machines.
In the EOG configuration, a simplified architecture using three graphene textile electrodes and a single signal channel achieved 97% convergence with standard AgCl electrodes. Optimised electrode positioning and reduced electrode count support a more compact and wearable sensing architecture.
The broader development objective is to transfer functions traditionally performed by clinical and laboratory biosignal electrodes into textile-based wearable systems. Current development activities extend beyond EOG toward wearable acquisition of other physiological signals, with ECG, EEG and EMG among the potential applications of the textile electrode platform.
Problem / Market Need
Conventional Ag/AgCl wet electrodes commonly used for biopotential monitoring require conductive gel to maintain electrical contact with the skin. Over time, the gel can dehydrate and degrade electrode performance, requiring electrode replacement or reapplication. Prolonged use may also cause discomfort, skin irritation and other usability limitations, reducing their suitability for continuous, everyday and unsupervised monitoring.
Graphene textile electrodes integrate biosignal acquisition directly into wearable surfaces, creating a flexible and gel-free alternative for longer-term monitoring. The platform also provides a bridge between physiological monitoring, smart textiles and human–machine interaction.
Key Advantages
- Gel-free dry graphene-textile electrode architecture
- Direct integration of sensing electrodes into fabrics and wearable products
- Wearable form factor suitable for extended biosignal monitoring
- EOG acquisition and automatic classification of eye movements
- Simplified EOG architecture using three electrodes and a single signal channel
- 97% convergence with standard AgCl electrodes
- Graphene coating approach applicable to common textiles including nylon, cotton and polyester
- Conversion of detected biosignals into commands for human–machine interaction
Applications
- Wearable biosignal monitoring
- Electrooculography and eye-movement tracking
- Human–computer and human–machine interfaces
- Hands-free control of computers and electronic devices
- Assistive technologies and accessibility solutions
- Smart textiles and electronic textiles
- Long-term physiological monitoring
- Wearable electrode platforms for ECG, EEG and EMG applications
Relevant Industries
- Wearable Technologies
- Medical Technologies
- Digital Health
- Smart Textiles
- Human–Machine Interfaces
- Assistive Technologies
- Consumer Electronics
Technology Readiness Level & Validation
Technology Readiness Level: TRL 6
Functional prototypes have demonstrated the use of graphene textile electrodes for wearable biosignal acquisition. EOG signals have been acquired through a wearable headband and different eye-movement patterns have been detected and classified. Human testing and validation activities for broader biosignal-monitoring applications are continuing within ongoing development work.
Intellectual Property
US Patent: US10824230B1
Patent Title: Wearable graphene textile-based electro-ocular monitoring and object interaction system
Priority Date: 19 July 2019
US Filing Date: 19 July 2019
Grant / Publication Date: 3 November 2020
Applicant / Assignee: Sabancı University
A Turkish patent application relating to the same invention is also recorded.
Commercialisation Status
The technology is currently at the industrial validation stage and is available for licensing. Establishment of a spin-off company for further commercialisation is planned.
Collaboration Opportunities
- Licensing
- Scientific consultancy
- Joint R&D and co-development
- Industrial validation and pilot testing
- Investment and commercial partnership
Potential partners may include wearable technology and smart-textile manufacturers, medical-device developers, digital-health companies, biosignal-monitoring solution providers, human–machine interface developers and organisations developing next-generation textile-based sensor platforms.
Inventors
Inventors: Murat Kaya Yapici, Ata Jedari Golparvar
Contact
For licensing, industrial validation, joint R&D, investment or other collaboration opportunities related to this technology, please contact Sabancı University Technology Transfer Office (SUATT) at dpe.suatt@sabanciuniv.edu.