The ‘smart necklace’ works on a resonance circuit, which reflects radio frequency signals sent by an external system, instead of a battery. During the study, the ‘necklace’ was placed around the subjects’ necks to monitor glucose levels within their sweat whilst they exercised. This exercise routine the participants took part in consisted of 30 minutes of indoor cycling followed by a 15 minute break, in which the participants drank sugar-sweetened drinks, before resuming the exercise again.

The drinks were a test for the researchers to monitor whether the new device would detect the rise in sugar levels and the results showed that the sensor tracked these changes successfully. [1]

Figure 1. 'Smart necklace' biosensor may track health status through sweat

Figure 1 shows 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 results showed the sensor did track the glucose levels successfully, which suggests it will work to monitor other important chemicals in sweat. [2]

Researchers say the sensor in the smart necklace successfully tracked glucose levels, suggesting it can successfully monitor other important chemicals in sweat as well. Moreover, the device only needed a minimal amount of sweat for the sensor’s interface to work.

“Sweat actually contains hundreds of biomarkers that can reveal very important information about our health status,” says Jinghua Li, study co-author and assistant professor of materials science and engineering at Ohio State, in a university release. “The next generation of biosensors will be so highly biointuitive and noninvasive that we’ll be able to detect key information contained in a person’s body fluids.” [3]

While the study notes that further miniaturization would make it more feasible for this and similar devices to become implantable, for now, Li said she imagines it as a lightweight device with simple circuit layouts that could be easily integrated into our daily lives.

"We hope that eventually these sensors can be seamlessly integrated into our personal belongings," she said. "Some of us may wear necklaces, some may wear earrings or rings. But we believe these sensors could be placed in something we all wear and that it could help us better track our health." [4]

References:

1. https://www.bioanalysis-zone.com/the-latest-sweat-accessory-new-necklace-biosensor-has-the-potential-to-track-blood-sugar-levels-through-sweat/
2. https://mixzhare.com/technology/gadgets/smart-necklace-biosensor-may-track-health-status-through-sweat/
3. https://www.studyfinds.org/smart-necklace-sweat/
4. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/07/220722123252.htm

Cite this article:

Thanusri swetha J (2022), 'Smart necklace' biosensor may track health status through sweat, Anatechmaz, pp.185