Measuring the rate at which water escapes through the skin can offer an insight into skin-barrier integrity and overall skin health.

A new device developed at Northwestern University allows continuous and remote monitoring of gases emitted from and absorbed by the skin.

Measuring just 2 centimeters long, the compact device hovers millimeters above the skin without touching it, housing sensors that track water vapor, carbon dioxide, temperature and volatile organic compounds, allowing clinicians to precisely monitor skin health and detect early signs of infection.

This new approach is ideal for wound care and fragile skin conditions, especially for patients with diabetic ulcers, where early intervention can prevent complications like sepsis or amputation.

In addition to clinical applications, this new tech could be used to test cosmetics (sparing the bunnies), assess the penetration of skin creams, study what makes some people so attractive to mosquitoes, and monitor workplace chemical exposure.

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