A team from The Ohio State University demonstrated a battery-free, wireless 'smart necklace', which is a biochemical sensor, that can monitor the blood sugar or glucose level of human beings through sweat, when they exercise.

Figure 1: A wireless 'smart necklace' is a biochemical sensor.

Figure 1 shows thatThe Ohio State team fabricated the "smart necklace" complete with a functional clasp and pendant which, once placed around their necks, was used to monitor the glucose level of study participants as they exercised. [1]

Instead of a battery, it works using a resonance circuit, which reflects radio frequency signals sent out by an external reader system. After engaging in indoor cycling for 30 minutes, participants took a 15-minute break, during which they drank sugar-sweetened beverages, before resuming cycling.

The researchers knew that glucose levels in the sweat should rise after drinking the sugary beverages — the question was whether this new sensor would pick it up, said Jinghua Li. The results showed the sensor did track the glucose levels successfully, which suggests it will work to monitor other important chemicals in sweat.

Biomarkers are substances that can divulge a body’s deepest secrets: Everything from disease, infection and even evidence of emotional trauma can be found in a person’s bodily fluids, which include sweat, tears, saliva and urine.

In addition to analyzing the composition of sweat, the researchers believe this sensor could one day be customized as bioimplants and used to detect neurotransmitters and hormones, which could help identify ion disorders in cerebrospinal fluid associated with secondary brain injury, or even lead to a new understanding of how the brain functions, Li said. [2]

Li also noted that the compact nature of the sensing interface means that this smart necklace just needs a little amount of perspiration for the interface to function.

Although it will be some time before a device resembling the prototype used in this study is made accessible to the general public, Li is already considering how to help those who will need this possibly life-saving technology the most.

The sensors are created out of materials that are very thin rather than the thick and stiff computer chips present in our phones and computers. The product is extremely flexible, thanks to its design, which also safeguards the device’s operation and guarantees that it can safely be placed on a person’s skin. [3]

References:

1. https://www.livemint.com/news/india/scientists-create-smart-necklace-that-can-monitor-health-through-sweat-11658620011217.html
2. https://theprint.in/health/smart-necklace-biosensor-may-monitor-health-status-through-sweat-finds-study/1052600/
3. https://www.azosensors.com/news.aspx?newsID=15119

Cite this article:

Sri Vasagi K (2022), New Smart Necklace Device to Detect Health via Sweat, Anatechmaz, pp.271