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Wearable devices offer substantial potential for personalized medicine and non-invasive monitoring of human health. Early progress focused on devices that sense physical activity, such as body movement and heart rate. Next-generation sensors are now capable of real-time chemical and biological sensing of bodily fluids, such as sweat, interstitial fluids, saliva, breath and blood. These sensors can detect biomarkers that are related to underpinning health conditions, such as detecting glucose in various bodily fluids for monitoring diabetes. Wearable sensors are therefore expected to be an important tool in the shift towards personalized medicine and digital health.
This Collection brings together the latest developments in wearable sensors for biomarker detection, covering both flexible and non-flexible systems. Major topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
Sensor design, fabrication and performance
Underpinning sensing mechanism
Demonstrations of applications in pre-clinical and clinical settings, and other relevant real-world examples
We welcome the submission of any paper related to wearable sensors. All submissions will be subject to the same review process and editorial standards as regular Communications Materials Articles.
Smart devices for wound management combine biosensing with drug release. Here, a smart theranostic bandage is reported that can detect pH and uric acid levels and release antibiotics as necessary, all of which can be done remotely.
A key aspect of wearable devices used in personal health monitoring are the electrodes that make contact with the skin. This Review discusses how the materials and structure of electrodes used in these devices are vital to their performance, including how altering these factors might optimize their function.
Human breath contains a vast amount of information that might be used to indicate respiratory and cardiovascular health. This Review summarizes and discusses recent advances in wearable breath sensors for monitoring breath temperature, humidity and airflow, as well as biomarker presence.
There is growing interest in biosensors that detect biomarkers in interstitial fluid. This Review provides an overview of recent developments on interstitial fluid biosensors, including device fabrication and sensing mechanisms, and outstanding challenges faced.
Wearable electronics provide opportunities for personalized health monitoring and treatment. This Perspective addresses challenges in the field, including material selection for devices, device integration strategies, and public adoption factors.