Cheap new “smart” masks can monitor our breath for signs of illness.
The paper masks could also be used to monitor alcohol intake, say scientists.
A new study showed how state-of-the-art mask technology can be used to assess metabolic and respiratory conditions.
The new masks cost a little over $1 to produce, according to research published in the Science journal.
From watches to patches and other types of sensors, personalized wearable devices that monitor people’s health – from heart activity to inflammation levels – are on the rise.
Now, a new type of wearable device can be added to the list: a high-tech paper mask that monitors breath.
Professor Wei Gao, of the California Institute of Technology, and his team developed the prototype for a smart mask that can be used to monitor several medical conditions – including respiratory ailments such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and COVID-19 infections.
Unlike other smart masks being developed that monitor physical changes such as the temperature, humidity, or rate of breath, the new one – called EBCare – can analyze the chemicals in a person’s breath in real time.
Gao explained that “EBC” stands for “exhaled breath condensate.” For example, the mask could monitor asthma patients for levels of nitrite, a chemical that indicates airway inflammation.
Originally published by Talker News