Ever since the existence of smart phones, our ease of access to various apps and such have increased numerous folds. And in this plethora of apps that we all find in the app store to help keep track of our physical health comes one such invention that requires just a stick on patch.
We have all downloaded
a pedometer app or a heart rate monitor app at least once in the quest to become a fitter and healthier individual. We have even heard of apps that help in reminding you when to complete the quota of 2L of water a day.
But a new sweat monitor that is in the development stages could keep track of whether you need to hydrate and replenish your electrolytes.
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, came up with the creation of the flexible stick-on patch, that attaches to your forearm or lower back to measure your electrolyte and glucose levels, rate of sweating, and more. It’s basically a laboratory test that you can wear on your skin.
How it Works:
It works by sucking up sweat and channeling it through tiny capillaries to four circles at the center of the device. Each
circle contains enzymes that react to your sweat’s glucose, lactate, chloride, and pH levels, which can all indicate whether you are overtaxing your body. The circles change color as they sample your sweat. A smartphone app would use your camera to analyze the colors, determining the contents of your sweat.The patches are designed to be cheap and disposable after a single use. Each one monitors sweat for up to 6 hours at a time, depending on how much the user is sweating.
The sweat trackers likely won’t be ready for sale in themarker for a few years, but they could find a niche market. While other groups have conceived of sweat trackers worn on a wrist band, these stick-on sensors could prove more useful in sports where the wrists need to be kept free, such as in martial arts, volleyball, and kickboxing.
