Self-Charging Skin Patch Helps Monitor Heart Health

A research team from the Northwestern University and University of Illinois at Urban-Champaign created a small square skin patch about five centimeters in size that can be worn on the skin everyday throughout the week to monitor general health.

 The device is made of minute liquid crystals or 'epidermal photonic sensors' that are receptive to minor temperature changes of the skin of 0.2 degrees centigrade. Every single crystal functions as a separate temperature monitor and reacts to fluctuations on the skin surface caused by increase or decrease in blood pressure. The blood pressure and flow levels are indicators of heart rate and heart functioning. Therefore, wearing the device can serve as a safety measure against cardiovascular illnesses, reports the Digital Journal.

Once the temperature changes, the skin patch also changes its color alerting the device users about the abnormality in cardiac tissues. The device also has another unique feature, it does not need any external power cord to charge itself. With the help of electromagnetic waves in the air the patch charges itself.

With millions of people in the U.S. succumbing to heart disease, the device is a novel innovation that enables wearers to take quick measures and treatments for heart conditions. The benefit of the device has initiated its researchers to measure its usability in the cosmetic industry. The new device may also be developed to assist the users to measure skin dryness and remind them to use moisturizing lotions.

More information on the research  is available online in the journal Nature Communications.