Researchers in the US have created a very soft and flexible electronic device that easily adheres to a person's skin like a patch, continuously measuring their sweat in real time and informing them about it. The device - the first of its kind - wirelessly sends the measurements to a "smart" mobile phone, where an application presents the data obtained from the sweat analysis.
The skin-friendly device can be very useful for someone who exercises physically, in order to instantly decide whether to readjust their pace or drink water or a tonic drink, depending on how much sweat they are shedding. The device is about the size and thickness of a small coin and is usually worn on the hands or back. The device, which is disposable and low-cost, can work continuously for a few hours without a built-in battery and is then thrown away.
Northwestern University School of Engineering and Medicine researchers, led by Professor of Materials Science John Rogers, who made the relevant publication in the American medical journal "Science Translational Medicine", successfully tested the "patch" on two groups of cyclists and runners of large distances. The measurements were just as good as the conventional measurements done in the laboratory.
In the future, the device will probably be used to detect other biomarkers, which are indications of diseases such as cystic fibrosis.
Source: RES-MPE
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