Sweat Sensor

A lightweight, wearable sweat sensor could be used to detect and monitor a variety of biochemical parameters for more precise diagnosis and treatment of a range of diseases. The device includes a flexible sensor array that continuously measures skin temperature along with four key constituents of perspiration: sodium ions, potassium ions, glucose and lactate. A wireless circuit board amplifies, filters, calibrates and transmits the signals to a smartphone or other device for further analysis and storage.

When used during exercise, the wearable system could alert the user of overheating, dehydration or fatigue. But the device can also be used diagnostically, for example, to monitor high chloride levels in cystic fibrosis patients or high glucose levels in pre-diabetics. As the trend toward personalized medicine continues, devices such as this will play an increasingly important role.