A biometric device refers to a security identification and authentication device. It uses automated methods in order to verify or recognize the identity of a person on the basis of their physiological or behavioral characteristics. Devices of such type are ever-growing with new forms of it being introduced in the market on a regular basis.
Recently, wearable biometric sensors were introduced by a team of researchers. These sensors are unique as they can be directly printed on human skin without the need of using heat. It happens through a simple yet universally applicable fabrication technique wherein a novel sintering aid layer is used in order to enable direct printing for on-body sensors.
The basic problem that used to arise while printing sensors on the skin was that it required the usage of high temperatures so as to induce nanoparticle bonding. The researchers in this newfound development evaded this problem by changing the printing material and developing a special aid layer that makes printing at room temperature possible. This aid – layer is comprised of two things - calcium carbonate and polyvinyl alcohol paste which helps in reducing printing surface roughness as well as allows an ultra-thin layer to be printed. This ultra-thin layer consists of metal patterns that maintain their electromechanical properties even when it is folded or bent.
After printing, researchers removed the water used as a solvent in the ink by using a hairdryer set on cool mode which helped in the removal of heat from the sintering process. These on - body sensors can monitor the temperature of a person precisely and continuously in addition to humidity, heart performance, and blood oxygen levels. It can also wirelessly transmit signals for processing. This is an important feature for those who have sensitive skin, particularly, babies and the elderly.
Recently, Apple has applied for a patent for a new form of sensors that would be able to recognize inputs such as silent gestures or voiced commands. They will be able to pick up vibrations caused by voice or head motion or through any skin deformation, then, they would use these signals for biometric authentication.
Apple has stated that these sensors will have four main features. Firstly, they would be able to detect sound through vibration by integrating a traditional microphone or replacing it with a self-mixing interferometry sensor. Secondly, headphones will be able to identify voice commands or silent gestures from skin deformations in the user’s head. Thirdly, the self – mixing interferometry sensor could be integrated within an eyeglass frame in order to detect skin deformations next to the temporal bone. Lastly, it would contain several mixed reality applications, in particular, visual display headsets.
These devices are an important development in the Biometric Technology Market as they are useful as well as environment friendly.