Wearable sensor offers new means of measuring skin hydration

A wearable wireless sensor has been developed by researchers as a means of monitoring skin hydration levels.

Created by North Carolina State University, the low-cost sensor is able to detect dehydration before it poses a health problem and is designed to be lightweight, flexible and stretchable, allowing it to be worn on the wrist or as a chest patch.

It consists of two electrodes made of an elastic polymer composite that contains conductive silver nanowires that can monitor the electrical properties of the skin to determine its hydration status.

Tests have shown the device's performance is not affected by ambient humidity, with its results shown to be just as accurate as a large, expensive hydration monitor that operates on similar principles, but utilises rigid wand-like probes.

John Muth, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at North Carolina State University, said: "It's difficult to measure a person's hydration quantitatively, which is relevant for everyone from military personnel to athletes to firefighters, who are at risk of health problems related to heat stress when training or in the field."

Other applications include improving athletic performance and safety, tracking hydration in older adults or people with certain health conditions, or establishing how effective skin moisturisers are for cosmetics.

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