Electronic bandage-like sensor measures body performance
Researchers have developed a wearable sensor that monitors dehydration and other health-related issues through sweat analysis.
A collaborative research project between the Air Force Research Laboratory (OH, USA) and the University of Cincinnati (OH, USA), is developing a bandage-like sensor to monitor physical and cognitive performance. The sensor will analyze sweat and inform the user of stress, dehydration and other health-related issues present in the body.
Lead researcher of the study, Josh Hagen (Air Force Research Laboratory), commented, “Our vision is that every airman at the beginning of their week, will be able to put on an electronic band aid that will quantify everything about them. It would measure the typical things a doctor would measure in a check-up.”
There are many applications of this wearable sensor; for example, airmen will be able to monitor their own levels of fatigue. Hagen explained, “These sensors could improve physical training results by helping users identify their optimal workout zone.”
Hydration levels could be monitored in athletes, firefighters, police officers or other individuals with jobs involving high physical activity levels. The levels of hydration would be assessed by measuring electrolytes in sweat and notifying the user of trends in the direction of dehydration or heat stress. “The strength of the sensor is that it could help you tune the electrolyte balance you need to replenish your body,” said Hagen.
Another application of the sensor is the identification of pneumonia in children; the team of researchers are working on this potential application with pediatric specialists at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Hagen commented, “Pediatrics is a very special example where you don’t want to draw blood from kids if you don’t have to. So if pneumonia markers show up in sweat, we can use sensor technology to identify pneumonia in a noninvasive way.”
Source: Electronic band aid to measure body performance through sweat.
