Wearables have come a long way from the early days of simply measuring exercise. To-day’s more sophisticated systems can tell much more about the human body through measuring key biomarkers such as sweat. This has important benefits in numerous fields, including the military, athletics and monitoring exercise.

Epicore Biosystems is creating some of the most interesting technology in this field using microfluidics and flexible hybrid electronics (FHE). Working as part of the NextFlex eco-system, Epicore and its partners Northwestern University and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) are developing a fully integrated microfluidic system for tracking sweat biomarkers and physiology in a single unified wearable.

A spinout company from Northwestern University’s Center for Bio-Integrated Electronics, Epicore Biosystems was founded in 2017. Dr. Rooz Ghafari, Epicore Biosystems’ CEO and president, said that the company’s “skin-like” wearable microfluidic system is ideal for measuring performance. Currently, Epicore is collaborating on the Gatorade Gx Sweat patch at the IRONMAN World Championships and L’Oreal’s My Skin Track pH, which was unveiled at CES 2019, among other projects. The company’s most recent innovation adds to those projects. 

“We’re developing a fully integrated microfluidic system for tracking sweat biomarkers and physiology in a single unified wearable,” Dr. Ghafari noted. “Using FHE, these sensors can measure sweat electrolytes, motion, and heart rate to allow athletes and military personnel to track their performance. The foundational technologies that power systems like this are built on years of research in skin-like bioelectronics and microfluidics for conform-ing microsystems to soft biological tissues.”

Epicore’s sweat biomarker project is in the R&D phase and is beginning to deploy these systems with the Air Force Research Laboratory in field studies.

“The goal of these clinical pilot tests is to evaluate the impact of electrolyte, metabolite and sweat rate changes on AFRL participants. Ultimately, target markets are for military and health-based applications,” Dr. Ghafari noted. “Epicore has partnered with organizations like Northwestern University and the AFRL through NextFlex projects to develop disposable, wearable platforms to measure electrochemical signals and other parameters of the body, to work towards monitoring devices that can interface with the human body.

“The flexible electronics and soft microfluidics achieve soft coupling with the skin,” he added. “This soft interface gives rise to improved signal quality and better comfort for sweat measurements. The systems we’re developing will then be able to provide better insight about hydration and overall health, with a goal of allowing consumers to manage their daily health, sleep and physical activity.”

Photo courtesy of Paul Sakuma and NextFlex.