Wearables
Fabric coating allows rips to 'heal' themselves
Ripped pants or a torn shirt usually means a trip to the tailor or a garbage can is in one's future. But scientists could be closing in on a new solution. They report in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces a fabric coating made of squid proteins that allows rips in cotton, linen and wool to "heal" themselves. Damage to a variety of surfaces, ranging from biomedical implants to clothing, can limit a product's usefulness.
Exploring the concept of a wearable personal cloud
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham are exploring the concept of a wearable personal cloud - a fully functioning, yet compact and lightweight cloud computing system embedded into clothing.
Tattoo-like health monitor does not require batteries
An international team of researchers has developed an ultra-thin health monitoring device that affixes to the skin like a patch and looks somewhat like a tattoo. As they note in their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the tiny device is able to monitor skin temperature, UV exposure, heart rate, changes in skin colour and blood oxygen level. Fitbit and other devices like it have become popular over the past few years as people ...
Electronic skin patch monitors alcohol levels
Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a flexible wearable sensor that can accurately measure a person's blood alcohol level from sweat and transmit the data wirelessly to a laptop, smartphone or other mobile device. The device can be worn on the skin and could be used by doctors and police officers for continuous, non-invasive and real-time monitoring of blood alcohol content.
Thin-film transistors developed for wearable display
With the advent of the IoT era, strong demand has grown for wearable and transparent displays that can be applied to various fields such as augmented reality (AR) and skin-like thin flexible devices. However, previous flexible transparent displays have posed real challenges to overcome, which are, among others, poor transparency and low electrical performance.
Personal security wearable relies on u-blox, not a phone
Whereable Technologies uses u-blox technology for the first live-monitored personal safety wearable that doesn’t require connection to a cell phone. RiskBand, which launches in fall, 2016, is a small, bracelet-like device that allows wearers to summon help and stream audio and photos with just one discreet push of a button.
App technology set to improve health and save lives
A study carried out with over 1,100 Apple Watch owners has revealed the top three mobile apps consumers would most like to use to manage their health, reports Allianz Global Assistance. 1 in 4 people said a blood pressure measurement App would be their top choice, followed by an application that would monitor diabetes and blood sugar control. In third place is a sleep quality measurement app.
Smart POF could modify the appearance of textiles
Smart illuminative POF textiles integrated with sensors and remote controls enable users to constantly change the appearance of the textiles according to the ever-changing needs. These textiles are pliable and offer the familiar tactile quality of conventional textiles, while offering a means to seamlessly integrate technology into everyday products.
Wearable can turn clothing into networked technology
Broadsword Spine has been designed specifically as an alternative to the heavy portable data and power supplies currently carried by military and emergency service personnel. BAE Systems has agreed an exclusive new partnership with world-leading e-textiles developer, Intelligent Textiles Limited (ITL), to deliver the ground-breaking wearable product in high volumes at low cost.
'Smart glasses' turn the arm of a wearer into a virtual keyboard
The development of the ARmKeypad Air, where 'smart glasses' are used to turn the arm of a wearer into a virtual keyboard, allowing for contact-free operation has been announced by NEC Corporation.