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Sensor100
May 2016
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Engineers take first step toward flexible, wearable,
tricorder-like device
Engineers at the University of Cali-
fornia San Diego have developed the
first flexible wearable device capable
of monitoring both biochemical and
electric signals in the human body.
The Chem-Phys patch records elec-
trocardiogram (EKG) heart signals
and tracks levels of lactate, a bio-
chemical that is a marker of physical
effort, in real time. The device can
be worn on the chest and communi-
cates wirelessly with a smartphone,
smart watch or laptop. It could have
a wide range of applications, from
athletes monitoring their workouts
to physicians monitoring patients with heart disease.
Nanoengineers and electrical engineers at the UC San Diego Center forWearable Sen-
sors worked together to build the device, which includes a flexible suite of sensors and
a small electronic board.The device also can transmit the data from biochemical and
electrical signals via Bluetooth.
UC San Diego
Jacobs School of Engineering ,23 May
Study co-author Amay Bandodkar demonstrates how the
ChemPhys patch works while riding a stationary bike.