Researchers at the University of Washington have unveiled the Thermal Earring, a wireless wearable that has the potential to revolutionize personal health monitoring. This innovative device continuously monitors a user's earlobe temperature, offering a range of potential applications including tracking signs of ovulation, stress, eating, and exercise.
The smart earring prototype, about the size and weight of a small paperclip, boasts an impressive 28-day battery life. It features a magnetic clip that attaches one temperature sensor to the wearer's ear, while another sensor dangles approximately an inch below to estimate room temperature. Remarkably, the earring can be personalized with fashion designs made of resin or gemstones without compromising its accuracy.
Co-lead author Qiuyue (Shirley) Xue, a doctoral student at the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, explained the motivation behind the project, stating, "I wear a smartwatch to track my personal health, but I've found that a lot of people think smartwatches are unfashionable or bulky and uncomfortable. I also like to wear earrings, so we started thinking about what unique things we can get from the earlobe."
The team overcame significant engineering challenges to create a wearable small enough to pass as an earring, while still ensuring a long-lasting battery life. Co-lead author Yujia (Nancy) Liu emphasized the difficulty in achieving a balance between size and power consumption, highlighting the importance of making the earring's power consumption as efficient as possible.
Notably, the Thermal Earring has already shown promise in preliminary tests, outperforming a smartwatch at sensing skin temperature during periods of rest. It has also demonstrated potential for monitoring signs of stress, eating, exercise, and ovulation. Co-author Dr. Mastafa Springston, a clinical instructor at the Department of Emergency Medicine in the UW School of Medicine, highlighted the earring's potential for continuous fever monitoring, presenting a novel application in the field of health monitoring.
While the findings are preliminary, the researchers are optimistic about the future of the Thermal Earring. Co-lead author Xue expressed her vision for the device, stating, "Eventually, I want to develop a jewelry set for health monitoring. The earrings would sense activity and health metrics such as temperature and heart rate, while a necklace might serve as an electrocardiogram monitor for more effective heart health data."
Although the device is not currently commercially available, the potential of the Thermal Earring as a fashion-forward health monitoring accessory offers a glimpse into the future of wearable technology. With ongoing research and development, this innovative device could soon become a valuable tool for personalized health monitoring.
