SweatMD: Health-monitoring Wearable Sweat Sensor
Next-generation Sportswear with Polylactic Acid, Auxetic Knitting Structure and Ergonomic Design
3D-printed Superior Light and Breathable Wearable Textiles
Three SFT scholars Profs. Erin Cho, Kinor Jiang and Shou Dahua proudly won three medals, including one Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury, two Bronze Medals at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva (Geneva Inventions Expo), a widely recognised annual event devoted exclusively to invention. This year, 1,043 entries from 42 countries and regions were attracted. Their award-winning innovations underscore the commitment of the PolyU and SFT community, encompassing scholars, students and alumni, to embracing research breakthroughs.
1. Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury: SweatMD: Health-monitoring Wearable Sweat Sensor
Principal investigator: Prof. Shou Dahua, Associate Professor; Associate Director, PolyU-Xingguo Technology and Innovation Research Institute; Associate Director of Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion; Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies
SweatMD is a cutting-edge, all-textile wearable sensor that non-invasively tracks biomarkers in sweat, such as glucose and potassium ion levels. It decodes user health conditions at the molecular level with exceptional accuracy, comfort and durability.
By continuously detecting multiple biomarkers and displaying real-time data on an intelligent mobile app, SweatMD empowers users to seamlessly self-monitor their health metrics and gain valuable insights into their well-being. The innovative textile-based microfluidic design features a nature-inspired sweat collection system, enabling the rapid and directional transport of fresh
sweat for precise analysis – even against gravity. Meanwhile, the advanced electrochemical sensing yarns are wrapped in skin-friendly fibres, further ensuring superior durability and comfort.
This breakthrough technology sets new standards in wearable healthcare, while also revolutionising how individuals manage their well-being and fostering global health awareness. SweatMD, by combining accessibility, user-friendliness and comfort, has the potential to transform disease prevention and health management strategies on a global scale.
2. Bronze Medal: Next-generation Sportswear with Polylactic Acid, Auxetic Knitting Structure and Ergonomic Design
Principal investigator: Prof. Erin Cho, Dean and Limin Professor in Integrated Strategies and Leadership in Fashion; Advisor, Leopitorca Global Limited (a PolyU startup)
This ergonomic sportswear solution uses polylactic acid (PLA), a natural eco-substitute for polyester, for its fabrication, combined with auxetic knitting structure (AKS) textile engineering. This combination delivers improved shaping, support and fit without using Lycra or polyurethane, while also enhancing the sportswear’s antibacterial properties, UV protection, flame retardancy, and temperature and moisture management.
Additionally, the ergonomic construction maximises athletic performance by aligning with muscle groups, allowing full-range motion and effective temperature regulation. Being 100% sustainable, using PLA can improve
environmental sustainability in textile production waste management and sportswear functionality. Meanwhile, the auxetic knitting structure ensures superior shaping, elasticity and support. The ergonomic design also provides a better-contoured fit, improving protection against injury and offering better body support.
This solution not only enhances performance for athletes and physically fit individuals who exercise rigorously, but also improves the exercise experiences of individuals in less-than-perfect physical condition by providing better safety, functionality, support and fit.
3. Bronze Medal: 3D-printed Superior Light and Breathable Wearable Textiles
Principal investigator: Prof. Kinor Jiang, Professor
Produced using the Low Force Stereolithography printing system with flexible photosensitive resin based on a 3D model, this innovative 3D-printed material comprises multiple unit structures systematically arranged along the X, Y and Z axes. Each unit structure features a cubic diamond configuration made of truss rods, with dimensions ranging from 2mm to 2.5mm in length, width and height, and truss rod diameters between 0.2mm and 0.3mm.
Incorporating a cubic diamond structure as the fundamental unit of the microcrystalline fabric significantly enhances the material’s breathability, lightness, durability and aesthetic appeal. It also accommodates various body shapes and movement conditions, ensuring comfort and adaptability.
The material is soft and skin-friendly, offering breathability that surpasses traditional woven fabrics, and exhibiting excellent elasticity. This advancement showcases the significant improvement in the performance and comfort of 3D-printed textiles.
