Light-powered armband monitors your vitals without tethering you
When you've got a fever and the only prescription is... regular medicine, a wearable from the University of Tokyo could help. Researchers developed a flexible, autonomous armband that notifies doctors when you have a fever or erratic heartbeat. The heartrate and heat sensors are built from printable, organic electronics, with solar cells for power and a beeper-style piezoelectric speaker. It's also cheap enough that it can be disposed of following patient usage. The team says it's the first printable organic circuit that can run on relatively dim room light, and figures it could also be adapted to provide continuous vital sign feedback as well as alerts. No plans for a cowbell synth chip, however.
