Scientists have created a 'smart necklace' that can detect a person's health through sweat. In a new study published in the journal Science Advances, a team from The Ohio State University demonstrated a battery-free, wireless 'smart necklace', which is a biochemical sensor, that can monitor the blood sugar or glucose level of human beings when they exercise.
The Ohio State team fabricated the "smart necklace" complete with a functional clasp and pendant which, once placed around their necks, was used to monitor the glucose level of study participants as they exercised.
The biochemical sensor works using a resonance circuit, instead of a battery. It reflects radio frequency signals sent out by an external reader system.
During the study, participants did indoor cycling for 30 minutes and then had sugar-sweetened beverages. The researchers knew that glucose levels in the sweat should rise after drinking the sugary beverages -- the question was whether this new sensor would pick it up, said Jinghua Li, co-author of the study and assistant professor of materials science and engineering at Ohio State.