First wearable device to gauge health by sensing gases coming from, going into skin.
First wearable device to gauge health by sensing gases coming from, going into skin.
Northwestern University researchers have developed the first wearable device for measuring gases emitted from and absorbed by the skin.
By analyzing these gases, the device offers an entirely new way to assess skin health, including monitoring wounds, detecting skin infections, tracking hydration levels, quantifying exposure to harmful environmental chemicals and more.
The new technology comprises a collection of sensors that precisely measure changes in temperature, water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which each give valuable insight into various skin conditions and overall health. These gases flow into a small chamber within the device that hovers above the skin without actually touching it. This no-contact design is particularly useful for gathering information about fragile skin without disturbing delicate tissues.
Read more at Northwestern University
Image: First wearable device to gauge health by sensing gases coming from, going into skin. (Credit: John A. Rogers/Northwestern University)
