UC San Diego researchers unveil smart ring for non‑invasive diabetes monitoring

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego's Jacobs School of Engineering, led by Professor Joseph Wang, have built a prototype fingertip ring called CHARM that continuously samples sweat without needles. The device uses an osmotic hydrogel to draw a minute amount of sweat passively and electro‑chemical sensors to measure up to six biomarkers, including glucose, ketones, uric acid, lactate, vitamin C and alcohol. In trials with healthy volunteers and people with type‑1 diabetes, glucose readings closely tracked those from commercial continuous glucose monitors and ketone values matched standard blood tests.

The ring transmits data wirelessly to a smartphone application, operates for about 12 hours on a single charge, and does not require active sweating or a recharge dock. The researchers emphasize that further clinical validation and refinements to the hydrogel and power system are needed before the technology can be commercialized.