Thanks to activity trackers, athletes could already calculate the number of calories burned, the number of steps taken or their heart rate. The technology now goes further:American researchers have invented a connected patch that analyzes sweat.
This microfluidic device presented in the journal Science Translational Medicine , is no bigger than a stamp and is placed on the skin, at the level of the forearm or in the back. It collects sweat in four compartments that change color as a result of chemical reactions. The goal? Detect the concentration of lactate, glucose, chloride ions in sweat, as well as its pH. This information is then transmitted to a smartphone, which makes it possible to carry out a health check in real time. Tested on cyclists, this single-use device could also help athletes and the military, suggest the American researchers behind its creation. It would also be able to adapt to other bodily fluids such as tears or saliva and could complement or even replace blood samples.
Companies would already be interested in this new generation gadget, which should only be marketed in 2019. Patience!
