Passive Sweat Extraction and Power Activation for Real-time Sweat Monitoring

Wearable sweat sensors, enhanced by advancements in flexible electronics, are transforming healthcare and diagnostics by detecting and recording various biological markers in sweat in real time. However, persistent problems like power management and sweat extraction present challenges. To address this, we introduce a self-powered monitoring system for less mobile individuals, particularly seniors, that employs a passive method of sweat extraction. The system includes a wearable triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) for sweat extraction, an integrated power source derived from a sweat-activated battery (SAB), electrodes imbued with carbachol for iontophoresis-guided sweat extraction, and biosensors with microfluidics for physiological sweat information detection. NFC-based microelectronics enable data communication, collection, and processing. By simply tapping the TENG, users passively collect sweat for bio-analysis. This flexible, non-invasive self-powered system allows for real-time monitoring of sweat content, offering a novel approach for elderly healthcare and a deeper insight into human physiology.