Skin-interfaced microfluidic system with personalized sweating rate and sweat chloride analytics for sports science applications

Lindsay B. Baker*, Jeffrey B. Model, Kelly A. Barnes, Melissa L. Anderson, Stephen P. Lee, Khalil A. Lee, Shyretha D. Brown, Adam J. Reimel, Timothy J. Roberts, Ryan P. Nuccio, Justina L. Bonsignore, Corey T. Ungaro, James M. Carter, Weihua Li, Melissa S. Seib, Jonathan T. Reeder, Alexander J. Aranyosi, John A. Rogers, Roozbeh Ghaffari

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

Advanced capabilities in noninvasive, in situ monitoring of sweating rate and sweat electrolyte losses could enable real-time personalized fluid-electrolyte intake recommendations. Established sweat analysis techniques using absorbent patches require post-collection harvesting and benchtop analysis of sweat and are thus impractical for ambulatory use. Here, we introduce a skin-interfaced wearable microfluidic device and smartphone image processing platform that enable analysis of regional sweating rate and sweat chloride concentration ([Cl]). Systematic studies (n = 312 athletes) establish significant correlations for regional sweating rate and sweat [Cl] in a controlled environment and during competitive sports under varying environmental conditions. The regional sweating rate and sweat [Cl] results serve as inputs to algorithms implemented on a smartphone software application that predicts whole-body sweating rate and sweat [Cl]. This low-cost wearable sensing approach could improve the accessibility of physiological insights available to sports scientists, practitioners, and athletes to inform hydration strategies in real-world ambulatory settings.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbereabe3929
JournalScience Advances
Volume6
Issue number50
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 11 2020

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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