Real-time sweat analysis
New generation fitness bracelets will analyze sweat
Vyacheslav Golovanov, GeekTimes
Physiologists, together with electronics specialists from the University of California, are developing a new generation device that allows detailed monitoring of the state of the human body engaged in sports. Several sensors connected to the device measure various characteristics of sweat, and thus help to get a detailed picture of how the body reacts to loads.
The composition of sweat contains many chemical compounds. Using sensors that measure the concentration of sodium, potassium, glucose, lactic acid salts and temperature, you can fairly accurately measure current muscle fatigue, blood glucose levels and the degree of dehydration of the body.
The prototype of the device is already quite small – no more than a business card, and moreover with a flexible substrate. The array of sensors is located on a small separate plate, which is supposed to be disposable. The plate is connected to a device on which chips are located that analyze incoming signals. The processed signals are wirelessly transmitted to a smartphone, where a special application shows the results obtained.
A frame of the video and a photo from the press release of the University of California at Berkeley
The engineers have already tested 26 people, and comparing the results obtained using the device with laboratory tests, they came to the conclusion that the results obtained by their device during the sweat analysis are sufficiently accurate and reliable (see Gao et al. Fully integrated wearable sensor arrays for multiplexed in situ perspiration analysis, published in the journal Nature).
The next stage involves testing a large number of people to calibrate the sensor readings and make them sufficiently versatile, suitable for mass use. Then such devices can be embedded in fitness bracelets, "smart" watches or used in the form of "smart tattoos".
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru
01.02.2015