Personal Health Trackers May Include Smart Face Mask

Dr. Zheng Yan, an assistant professor at the University of Missouri, has recently published two studies demonstrating different ways to improve wearable bioelectronic devices and materials to provide better real-time monitoring of a person’s health. One focus from Yan’s lab, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with mask-wearing, is developing breathable soft bioelectronics which can monitor someone’s physiological status based on the nature of a person’s cough. Their smart mask can effectively monitor cough frequencies which may assist physicians with knowing disease development and providing customed interventions. The mask can also help identify proper mask wearing in public places using a bioelectronic sensor. Wearable bioelectronics could also monitor a person’s breathing rhythm and heart rate to provide more comprehensive information for sleep apnea studies.

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