Sensors built into wearable patches could signal the future
Feb 2023, phys.org
Acoustic transmitter and receiver without any additional antenna.
via Northumbria University: Qian Zhang et al, Multifunctional and Wearable Patches Based on Flexible Piezoelectric Acoustics for Integrated Sensing, Localization, and Underwater Communication, Advanced Functional Materials (2022). DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202209667
Image credit: AI Art - A Cup of Coffee Connected to a Man's Head - 2023
Breakthrough for sweat analysis: 3D-printed wearable sensor
May 2023, phys.org
It's called the "sweatainer", named after the "vacutainer" used in blood sampling.
via University of Hawaii at Manoa: Chung-Han Wu et al, Skin-interfaced microfluidic systems with spatially engineered 3D fluidics for sweat capture and analysis, Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg4272.
Soft 'e-skin' generates nerve-like impulses that talk to the brain
May 2023, phys.org
"Monolithic e-skin" - soft integrated circuits that convert sensed pressure or temperature to electrical signals similar to the nerve impulses to communicate with the brain, but with low enough operating voltage to be used safely on the human body, and to be one day directed to implanted wireless communication chips in the peripheral nerve to allow amputees to control prosthetic limbs
25-50 microns thick, like a sheet of paper, or the outer layer of human skin, and runs on 5 volts.
via Stanford: Weichen Wang et al, Neuromorphic sensorimotor loop embodied by monolithically integrated, low-voltage, soft e-skin, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.ade0086
AI powers second-skin-like wearable tech
May 2023, phys.org
Ultra-thin wearable patch worn on the neck has three layers to measure speech, neck movement, touch, breathing and heart rates
via Monash University: Shu Gong et al, Hierarchically resistive skins as specific and multimetric on-throat wearable biosensors, Nature Nanotechnology (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01383-6
Wearable textile captures energy from body movement to power devices
Jun 2023, phys.org
"Triboelectric wearable textile that can convert body movement into useable electricity and even store that energy, using graphene oxide fiber for use in a coaxial fiber-shaped supercapacitor."
This used to sound cool, but it's funny how things change, and under the shadow of surveillance capitalism this now sounds like an absolute nightmare:
"In the future, if advanced fabrics can be developed, then perhaps wearable electronic devices integrated into shirts, pants, underwear and hats will be able to track indicators of frailty to assess risk of age-related disease, monitor cortisol levels to track stress levels, or even detect pathogens as part of a global pandemic monitoring network."
via Tsinghua University: Feifan Sheng et al, Wearable energy harvesting-storage hybrid textiles as on-body self-charging power systems, Nano Research Energy (2023). DOI: 10.26599/NRE.2023.9120079
Making headway in precision therapeutics with novel fully organic bioelectronic device
Jul 2023, phys.org
The first stand-alone, conformable, fully organic bioelectronic device that can not only acquire and transmit neurophysiologic brain signals, but can also provide power for device operation. Uses sub-micron IGT (internal-ion-gated organic electrochemical transistor) architecture.
via Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science: Claudia Cea et al, Integrated internal ion-gated organic electrochemical transistors for stand-alone conformable bioelectronics, Nature Materials (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41563-023-01599-w
New wearable sensor sets record for solar power efficiency
Jul 2023, phys.org
Biosensors capable of reading out levels of salts, sugars, uric acid, amino acids, vitamins, and C-reactive proteins, and is powered with a flexible perovskite solar cell (FPSC) which is particularly well suited to indoor lighting emission spectrum. (Also mentions that it's assembled in an origami-like fashion).
via Heritage Medical Research Institute, Johannes Kepler University Linz in Austria, and California Institute of Technology: Min, J. et al. An autonomous wearable biosensor powered by a perovskite solar cell. Nature Electronics (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41928-023-00996-y
Screen-printed, flexible sensors allow earbuds to record brain activity and exercise levels
Sep 2023, phys.org
Flexible sensors screen printed onto earbuds to record the electrical activity of the brain as well as levels of lactate in the body.
via University of California - San Diego: In-ear integrated sensor array for the continuous monitoring of brain activity and of lactate in sweat, Nature Biomedical Engineering (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01095-1
New wearable sensor makes continuous analysis of sweat possible, researchers say
Sep 2023, phys.org
Whereas low biomarker concentration levels in sweat and variability of other factors such as pH, salinity and temperature have pushed previous sweat biosensors past the limits of their detection and accuracy, this laser-modified graphene nanocomposite material can detect specific glucose levels in sweat for three weeks while simultaneously monitoring body temperature and pH levels
via Penn State: Farnaz Lorestani et al, A Highly Sensitive and Long‐Term Stable Wearable Patch for Continuous Analysis of Biomarkers in Sweat, Advanced Functional Materials (2023). DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202306117
