Technical Features
- Can measure extremely small amounts of sweat at rest.
- Can trace amounts of components (glucose, uric acid, ion amounts, etc.) in real time.
- Can also observe amounts of transpiration from plant leaves.
Technology Overview & Background
Regulating the amount of water in the body is important for maintaining vital activities. Sweating is closely related to mental and physical health, but current wearable technology can only continuously monitor large amounts of sweat.
The researcher of University of Tsukuba developed a thin (1 mm) and light (1 g) wearable patch that can be attached to the skin and accurately monitor the very small amount of water evaporation from the body surface (insensible perspiration) that occurs even at rest (Fig. 1). The flow path in the patch is filled with a superhydrophilic polymer sponge derived from bacteria that mimics the water absorption mechanism of plants, and can quickly and reliably capture small amounts of sweat (water vapor).
The sweat that enters the flow path is colored with dyes to make sweating “visible,” allowing the amount and rate of sweating (dehydration state) to be visually confirmed. The patch is equipped with an electrochemical sensor that continuously detects pH and concentration of chemical components such as Na+, Ka+, and glucose, making it possible to monitor changes in real time. The patch can be attached to various parts of the body, such as the forehead, neck, shoulders, abdomen, arms, thighs, shins, and insteps, and can continuously monitor sweating at each part of the body (Fig. 2). In addition, by incorporating this technology into a wearable device, it can be applied to dehydration management, blood glucose measurement over time, observation of tension and stress levels, disease diagnosis, mental and physical health management, and optimization of sports performance.
This technology is also expected to be used in the environmental field by measuring transpiration from plant leaves.
Data
- Demonstrated measurement of uric acid, sodium, potassium, pH, and glucose from collected sweat (see Publication).
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Publication
Ding H, Yang H, Tsujimura S. Advanced Science., Volume11, Issue30. August 14, 2024, 2401947.
【DOI】 10.1002/advs.202401947.
Patent(s)
Patent pending (not yet published)
Principal Investigator & Academic Institution
Professor Seiya Tsujimura, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba
Expectations
We are looking for companies interested in developing measuring devices, diagnostic devices, and wearable devices using this technology, such as a wearable device that measures blood glucose levels from sweat.
In addition to disclosing unpublished data under a confidentiality agreement with the University of Tsukuba, we are also able to provide samples and hold meetings with the researcher.
Project No.KJ-04862