Wearable sensors make up one of the fastest-growing technology markets. According to market research firm International Data Corporation, total global shipment volumes of wearables reached 19.7 million units in 1Q16, an increase of 67.2 percent from the 11.8 million units shipped in 1Q15. Wearable devices are rapidly advancing in terms of technology, functionality and size, with more real-time applications, especially for health monitoring.
Photonics is an important component in these devices, especially for flexible displays and wearable biosensors. Considerable research interest is developing around wearable optical devices. For example, flexible organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are now being integrated into flexible or textile-based displays. Read the full story on the SPIE website.
Photonics is becoming more wearable, as the article from SPIE describes. Two articles from Laser Focus World show other ways inwhich photonics is getting personal:
Wearable Photonics: Smart photonic textiles begin to weave their magic, by scientists at Philips Research
Head-worn displays: Useful tool or niche novelty? by senior editor Gail Overton
Conard Holton
Editor in Chief
Laser Focus World