Photo/Illutration A super-thin pressure sensor is applied on a fingertip. (Provided by the University of Tokyo)

Researchers developed a super-thin sensor that can be applied directly on a fingertip to take accurate pressure measurements and may eventually be used to record data on subtle hand movements.

Unlike current glove-shaped sensors, the thin new device does not affect fingertip sensation when measuring pressures as small as pinching half a grain of rice, according to the researchers, who are mainly from the University of Tokyo.

The developers hope the sensor will also be useful for digital archiving, such as taking data records of the skills of surgeons, calligraphers and artisans.

Lee Sung-hoon, a lecturer of electronic engineering with the University of Tokyo, and his co-workers built a fine mesh structure from gold electrodes to take the pressure measurements and used synthetic fibers as insulators. That allowed them to create a sheet as soft as a sponge, from which they developed a sensor with the thickness of plastic wrap.

After 18 test subjects wore the sensor, the researchers confirmed that the force they used in grasping an object was about the same as when they did not have a sensor applied on their fingertip.

The scientists also ensured the sensor is durable against rubbing and pushing.

“You don’t feel funny at all when you are wearing our sensor,” Lee said. “I hope we will make improvements for easier wearability so the sensor can be put to practical use.”

The research results were published in Science, the U.S. journal.

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