wearable electronics

Even in noisy environments, most of us are able to understand what another person is saying by "focusing" our hearing on their voice. Although regular hearing aids are currently unable to do so, that may change if a new prototype reaches production.

Being able to track a morning jog and listen to some tunes without carrying a phone around is surely one of the key selling points of modern-day smartwatches – so why not combine the smartwatch and a pair of wireless earbuds in one compact form?

In what may be either the most discreet or the most conspicuous of wearable electronics, a team of researchers led by Desheng Kong has developed a prototype stretchable stopwatch sticker that can be adhered to the back of a person's hand.

​When it comes to the continuous monitoring of people's vital signs, the rigid electrodes that are typically adhered to the skin can be uncomfortable, awkward, and a cause of skin irritation. That's where a new soft, flexible, wireless monitor is designed to come in.

​According to the American Heart Association, about one third of Americans can't estimate their daily sodium intake. If someone has a condition such as hypertension, obesity or diabetes, then knowing the correct figure is important – which is why scientists have developed an oral sodium sensor.

Australia is looking into equipping soldiers with a personal "black box" that will act as a combination data recorder and emergency beacon under a AU$700,000 (US$567,000) contract by the Department of Defence to develop the device called the "Flight Recorder."

For a wearable electronic sensor to be truly practical it would need to be comfortable when worn for extended periods of time. A team at the University of Tokyo has now developed a breathable nanoscale mesh that can be safely worn for a week without causing any skin irritation.

Our love affair with technology is leading to a whole lot of environmental problems, including a growing stockpile of discarded devices. What if there was a way for our unwanted electronics to break down so we wouldn't even need to think about the environmental impact of disposing of them?

Wearables don't always come in the forms of smartwatches​ and fitness trackers​. One subgenre is wellness wearables, which promise to do things like manipulate your mood or teach you to meditate. We took a handful for a test-drive.

The follow-up to one of the most unique wearables to date, Thync Relax is a more consumer-friendly take on the original's brain-zapping, mood-shifting focus. But what was lost in the process?

New research shows it wouldn't take much tweaking for activity trackers and other wearables to be able to also detect when we're getting sick.​

From temporary tattoos that track your blood alcohol level, to a paper skin that responds to stimuli, it's no stretch to realize that flexible electronics will be a big part of technology going forward. Adding yet another option to this field is a clear, conductive film made by mini jet engines.