New Wearable Tech Analyzes Sweat to Detect Disease Risks and Fitness Levels (Image courtesy of KAIST)
DAEJEON, Sept. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — Scientists in South Korea have unveiled a skin patch that can precisely track metabolic changes in the body using nothing more than sweat, offering a potential alternative to invasive blood tests.
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) said Sunday that a team led by Professor Jeong Ki-hoon of its bio and brain engineering department has developed a flexible, lightweight “smart patch” capable of analyzing multiple metabolites in real time. The results were published online in Nature Communications on August 27.
Unlike earlier sweat sensors that required fluorescent labeling or dyes and struggled to control fluid collection, the KAIST device integrates micro-sized fluidic channels with an ultrafine optical sensor built on a nanoplasmonic structure.
The patch collects sweat into as many as 17 microchambers, where light at the nanometer scale is used to identify molecular properties. This allows for precise, sequential tracking of changes in sweat composition during exercise.
In human trials, the patch successfully measured key biomarkers such as uric acid, lactic acid and tyrosine — indicators linked to metabolism, physical exertion and chronic disease. The system also incorporated artificial intelligence to isolate specific signals from the complex mix of sweat components, enhancing accuracy.
Researchers say the technology could enable athletes to monitor endurance and muscle function, while also providing early warnings for conditions like gout, liver dysfunction and kidney disease.
“Without drawing blood, this sweat patch allows us to monitor metabolic changes with precision,” Jeong said, adding that it could be applied to chronic disease management, drug response monitoring and even environmental exposure studies.
The advance positions KAIST at the forefront of a growing global race to turn noninvasive biosensors into practical diagnostic and health-tracking tools.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
