Wearable Sensors Capable of Detecting Toxic Gases & UV Radiation

Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) has developed a wearable sensor which is stretchable nature and is capable of detecting dangerous UV radiation and gases that are toxic and harmful. These sensors are made up of a very thin layer of zinc oxide (which is a material usually found in sunscreens) in the form of a plate-like structure called micro-tectonics. And, this material is engineered into a very thin but durable and flexible patch that is made of silicone rubber substrate, a material very commonly found in contact lenses.

These micro-tectonics can easily slide across each other like the geological tectonic plates in the earth’s crust, allowing the device to have high sensitivity and the ability to bend and flex the devices.

As these wearable electronics (sensors) are transparent and flexible, these can easily be worn as skin patches or even incorporated into one’s clothing. This particular sensor can also be used in industrial applications, sectors where the workers are usually exposed to toxic/harmful gases on a daily basis.

For example, these wearable sensors can give early warning of explosions through its ability to monitor toxic gases in coal-fired power stations and production facilities. With its ability to sense nitrogen dioxide, these sensors can constantly monitor the pollution levels in crowded cities.

These sensor patches can be used the way nicotine patches are used by the consumers and therefore, it is very convenient for an everyday use. In the near future, these sensors will soon be integrated with the consumer wearable electronics in monitor UV radiation levels as well and alert the user if the radiation levels go beyond the permissible levels. One could have it attached it their wristband and the smartphone could alert the user in case of exposure to sun for a long time. Given the rate at which global warming is increasing each year, this device will definitely be in demand in the future.

This technology is inexpensive as well as durable, which is why the researchers are not too keen about producing or manufacturing in large numbers. The materials used to manufacture this particular wearable sensor, especially the silicone, is really low in cost, while zinc oxide on the other hand, is already manufactured in large quantities for the sunscreens.

The sensors still need a bit of work. The team at the institute are working on adding few more features to the device to improve its functionality, with the intention to integrate it seamlessly with the human body. The study of the harmful effects of sun rays and deducing ways for the provision of sun protection is one area that has been left unexplored in mobile health so far.

Solar Cell, an application developed long time ago, was used to give alerts with respect to applying sunscreen, reapplying sunscreen and then, go out in the sun, vitamin D production-based hourly UV- index as well as UV index forecast along with the phone’s location and time. The mobile application, when tested by a group of researchers didn’t give the expected results, because of which the app wasn’t taken seriously or used anymore. Keeping this in mind, the wearable sensors developed by RMIT, can indeed be an improvement over this particular mobile app.

Many popular brands have also started taking this aspect or technology very seriously. Very recently, Apple announced that they was adding a UV exposure feature to their HealthKit personal health data exchange as a new tracking field.

Mordor Intelligence has worked on a report exclusively on the Wearable Sensors Market that contains a detailed information on the multiple sensor markets and analyses of multiple leading players in the market. The report also contains information on the potential the wearable sensors global market holds during the forecasted period (2014-2019).

SaiKiran Kadam is an Analyst working with Mordor Intelligence, a market research consulting firm which specializes in Market Research Consulting, Market Research Reports, Market Sizing Reports, Industry Research Reports.