Northwestern Researchers Unveil Non-Contact Wearable for Monitoring Skin Health

The innovative sensor captures skin-emitted gases to track wound healing, detect infections, and monitor environmental exposure.

The newly developed wearable sensor measures epidermal molecular flux (EMF) by analyzing gases emitted from the skin without direct contact.
Using a valve-operated chamber, the device traps and monitors changes in gas concentrations to assess skin barrier function and wound healing.
Laboratory tests on diabetic models revealed the sensor's ability to detect delayed skin restoration, even when wounds appeared visually healed.
The sensor also tracks environmental chemical exposure, such as ethanol vapor penetration, demonstrating its potential for safety monitoring.
Published in Nature on April 9, 2025, the research highlights plans to enhance the device’s specificity and miniaturization for broader applications.