UC San Diego researchers develop sweat‑sensor smart ring
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego have created a prototype smart ring, the Continuous Health Analyzing Ring Module (CHARM), that integrates a chemical sensor to analyze finger sweat. The device uses an osmotic hydrogel to passively draw sweat from the finger and employs electrochemical sensors to monitor up to six biomarkers—glucose, ketone, ascorbic acid, uric acid, lactate and alcohol—four at a time.
Trials with participants, including people with Type 1 diabetes, showed that CHARM’s glucose readings closely matched those of a continuous glucose monitor and its ketone readings aligned with a traditional blood meter. Data are transmitted wirelessly to a smartphone. The prototype runs about 12 hours on a charge and currently lacks a convenient recharging method. The researchers note that broader clinical validation, improved hydrogel engineering and battery performance are needed before the ring could replace existing monitoring tools. The study was published in Nature Communications and is presented as a step toward non‑invasive, real‑time metabolic monitoring for diabetes management and nutrition tracking.
Entities: Continuous Health Analyzing Ring Module (CHARM) · Nature Communications · Tamoghna Saha · University of California, San Diego
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Researchers at the University of California, San Diego created a prototype smart ring named CHARM that analyzes finger sweat. (UC San Diego researchers)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The prototype wirelessly transmits data to a smartphone. (study authors)
- [● 2 SOURCES] In trials, CHARM’s ketone measurements matched a traditional blood meter. (study authors)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The ring uses an osmotic hydrogel to passively draw sweat from the finger without exercise or electrical stimulation. (study authors)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The ring’s battery lasts about 12 hours per charge and lacks a convenient recharging method. (study authors)
- [● 2 SOURCES] CHARM can measure six biomarkers—glucose, ketone, ascorbic acid, uric acid, lactate and alcohol—four at a time. (study authors)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The research was published in Nature Communications. (study authors)
- [● 2 SOURCES] In trials, CHARM’s glucose measurements closely matched those of a continuous glucose monitor. (study authors)