Design of a wearable sensing platform for sweat analysis

S. Coyle, Y. Wu, K. Lau, J.H. Kim, S. Brady, G. Wallace, D. Diamond

Abstract Bio-sensing textiles to perform on-body biochemical analysis are a novel concept in the field of wearable
technologies. This work is part of BioTex, an EU funded
project aiming to develop textile-based sensors for monitoring
biological fluids. This paper describes the development of a
wearable sensing device that integrates a fabric-based fluid
handling platform for collection and analysis of sweat using
optical and electrochemical methods. Sensing capabilities
have been demonstrated using pH sensitive dyes immobilized
onto the fabric fluidic channel. Optical sensing is performed
using a paired LED configuration controlled by a Crossbow
Mica2dot mote, which also enables wireless data transmission.
The design ensures low-power and low-cost operation and is
foreseen to be used as a tool to promote wellness, give an
indicator of personal health and assist in sports performance
training.

I. INTRODUCTION

earable chemical sensors may be used to provide

valuable real-time information about the wearers
health. In order to be practical as wearable device the sensor
must be non-invasive, low-power and straightforward to use.
The aim of the BIOTEX 1 project is to integrate chemical
sensors into a textile substrate for monitoring biological
fluids. A major issue in this type of measurement in vivo is
sensor placement and sample delivery. Urine, saliva, sweat,
tears and breath are possible samples that may be acquired
non-invasively.[1] Sweat is the most accessible specimen to
be collected with a garment.
Here we discuss the
development of a fabric-based platform to collect and analyze
sweat. We have demonstrated this system as a wearable and
wireless pH sensor with complete fluid handling capabilities.

properties.[2] This is used in conjunction with a superabsorbent (SAB) material capable of absorbing high volumes
of liquid. A fabric fluidic channel is made from the moisture
wicking material. The SAB is placed at the end of the channel
to provide a passive pumping mechanism, controlling fluid
flow. The configuration of the device is shown in Fig. 1.
This collection layers base material is hydrophilic polyamide
lycra from which the desired pattern (fluidic channel) is
fabricated by coating the fabric material with hydrophobic
silicone or polyurethane film. Sensing components may be
immobilized on the fabric or integrated onto the top cover
such that there is contact between the sensor and the fluid
on the surface of the channel. A hydrophobic film (acetate
sheet) is fixed to the underside of the collection layer with a
small aperture to the base of the fabric channel. This creates
an inlet for sweat into the device. On the upper side of the
collection layer the SAB collects and stores the waste
products. A black silicone gasket is molded and placed
around the edge of the device to provide mechanical support
and allow placement of a protective cover on which the
optical sensing platform and electrochemical sensors are
situated. This cover also prevents contamination from
external fluids to the channel and to the SAB.

II. SYSTEM DESIGN

A. Fluid handling
The fluid handling platform makes use of the inherent
capillary action of fabrics with good moisture wicking
1
The BIOTEX project is a Specific Targeted Research or
Innovation Project (STREP) part of the Sixth Framework Progr amme
of the European Commission, http://www.biotex-eu.com
S. Coyle, Y. Wu, K. Lau, J.H. Kim, S. Brady and D. Diamond are
with the Adaptive Sensors Group, School of Chemical Sciences,
National Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University, Dublin 9,
Ireland
G. Wallace is with the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI)
and ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES),
University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia)

Figure 1 Collection layer containing fabric fluidic channel

and super-absorbent (SAB)

B. Integration of pH sensor
In healthy individuals the typical pH range of sweat is pH5-7.
The pH sensitive dye Bromocresol purple (BCP, pKa = 6.2)
based sensor is suitable for measuring this range and is

Optical
Detection

Cover

Sweat rate was estimated to be 0.75mg/min/cm2 which is

similar to results reported by Patterson.[4]
BCP fabric sensor - pH Vs detected light

(a)

18000

Detected light
(microsec)

fabricated directly on the fabric channel by co-immobilising

the dye with tetraoctyl ammonium bromide. A black PMMA
cover is held 5mm above the channel by the silicone gasket.
The cover contains optical sensing components (Fig. 2). A
paired emitter-detector LED configuration[3] is used for
quantitative measurements. Red LEDs (Kingbright,
L934SRCG) are used to detect absorbance changes as the
dye changes from yellow to blue depending on pH.

16000

Actual

14000

Model

12000
10000

Silicone gasket

10

pH

BCP response to pH 4 and pH 7

Detected light

(b)
SAB
pH-sensitive Hydrophobic
dye
coating
Figure 2 Fluidic handling platform integrating pH sensor with
optical detection.
Sweat

60000
55000
50000
45000
40000
35000
30000

pH 7

pH 4

221 441 661 881 1101 1321 1541 1761 1981 2201
Time(s)

Fig. 4. (a) Calibration curve, pH vs detected light intensity,

(b) Sensor Reproducibility

C. Wireless System
The LEDs are controlled and monitored by a Mica2dot mote.
The detector LED is reverse biased at a specific voltage to
generate photocurrent upon incident light. This photocurrent
then discharges the LED at a rate that is proportional to the
intensity of light reaching the detector. A simple threshold
detection/timer routine is implemented and data transmitted
to a Mica2 base-station connected to a laptop for analysis .
The wearable/wireless device is shown in Fig. 3.

IV. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS
This fluid handling concept may be extended to monitor
other parameters in sweat using different colorimetric dyes or
indeed electrochemical sensing. We have developed a
platform which is capable of sampling, collecting and
analyzing fluid. The system is low-power, with a passive
pumping mechanism and inexpensive to produce. Further
work is needed to test the performance of the sensor in vivo
to investigate issues of wearability and physiological factors.
A CKNOWLEDGMENT

Mica2dot
mote

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the

European Union (Biotex FP6-2004-IST-NMP-2), Science
Foundation Ireland (SFI 03/IN.3/I361) and the Australian
Research Council.
REFERENCES

Optical detection

Fluid collection and

sensing layer

[1]

Fig. 3. Wearable and wireless patch with fluidic handling and

sensing capability

III. RESULTS
The pH sensing patch was calibrated using artificial sweat
(ISO 3160/2 standard). A fabric wick was used to deliver the
sample to the collection layer. A calibration curve of the
sensor is shown in Fig. 4(a). The pKa was estimate to be 6.5.
The sensor is reversible and the repeatability is shown in Fig.
4(b). The average response time between the acidic and basic
forms of the dye is 100s.
The collection capabilities of the fabric layer have been
tested in vivo. Two patches were attached a subjects lower
back before participation in 40 minutes of indoor cycling.
The patches were weighed before and after exercise.

[2]

[3]

[4]

S. Brady, L. Dunne, A. Lynch, B. Smyth, and D.

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K. T. Lau, W. S. Yerzunis, R. L. Shepherd, and D.
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mixtures using an optical photometer based on LED
array," Sensors and Actuators B, vol. 114, pp. 819825, 2006.
M. Patterson, S. Galloway, and M. A. Nimmo,
"Variations in regional sweat composition in normal
human males," Experimental Physiology, vol. 85,
pp. 869-876, 2000.