Stick-on Sensors detect compounds in sweat

Sensors have been developed by the University of California Berkeley as part of a study that’s looking into what health markers can be determined by analysing the composition of sweat.
The sensors contain a fine spiralling tube that wicks sweat away from the skin towards sensors that detects potassium and sodium ions, and compounds of glucose. It also monitors the rate of sweating and can detect and measure the electrolytes and metabolites in the sweat.
‘Using this wearable device means we can now continuously collect data from different parts of the body where we will be able to see the dynamic changes and be able to estimate whole body fluid loss.’ said graduate materials science and engineering student Hnin Yin Yin Nyein.
The sensors are made by a simple roll-to-roll printing process that’s similar to a screen prints which makes them easy to produce. ‘roll-to-roll technology gives significant benefit when testing devices,’ said Jussi Hiltunen of the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, who are a partner in the project. ‘Up scaled fabrication demonstrated the potential to apply the sensing concept in practical applications’
The team believe that the best results come when several of the sensors are placed on different parts of the body at the same time.