A new generation of wearable sensors could turn sweat into a real-time window into the body.
Delft, The Netherlands, 28 January 2026 – Our bodies are constantly sending signals about what is happening inside us. To read those signals, we usually rely on blood tests, urine samples, or routine check-ups at a clinic. While these methods are effective, they can also be uncomfortable, time-consuming, and far from continuous. But what if health monitoring could happen quietly and painlessly, without needles or lab visits?
This is the idea behind the PhD research of Sevda Malek Kani, who is exploring how sweat can be used as a powerful tool for health monitoring. Her work points to a future where a small device worn on the skin could analyze sweat and reveal what is happening inside the body in real time.
Why sweat matters
Sweat may seem simple, but it is actually full of useful information. It contains salts, metabolites, and proteins that can reflect hydration levels, stress, inflammation, and even signs of illness. Unlike blood tests, sweat can be collected directly from the skin, making it a promising option for non-invasive health tracking.
The challenge is that sweat is produced in very small amounts, especially when a person is resting. Many of the substances found in sweat appear in tiny concentrations, making them hard to detect. On top of that, scientists are still learning what different sweat components mean and how they change when someone is sick, stressed, or recovering.
Turning tiny droplets into data
In her research, Malek Kani focused on overcoming these challenges. She began by studying sensor technologies that can measure substances like sodium and creatinine in sweat. These markers can offer clues about hydration, kidney function, and overall metabolic health.
She then expanded her work to include inflammatory markers, which are substances linked to inflammation or allergic reactions. Detecting these markers in sweat could help identify early signs of infection or immune responses.
The result of this work is a small wearable device designed to collect microscopic droplets of sweat from the forearm. The device gently guides the sweat through tiny channels and sensors, where it is analyzed instantly. This approach makes it possible to monitor health signals continuously, without discomfort or disruption to daily life.
From the lab to everyday life
This research brings us closer to a future where wearable health technology does much more than count steps or track heart rate. One day, sweat sensors could be built into smartwatches or skin patches, helping users understand if they are stressed, fighting the flu, dehydrated, or consuming too much sugar.
In hospitals, sweat sensing could support continuous patient monitoring. Nurses and doctors could receive early warnings if a patient’s condition starts to worsen, allowing faster intervention and better outcomes.
A new chapter in preventive health
Sweat-based health monitoring represents a shift toward simpler, more personalized care. By turning an everyday body function into a source of real-time health data, researchers like Sevda Malek Kani are helping pave the way for non-invasive diagnostics and smarter wearable devices.
As wearable biosensors and digital health tools continue to evolve, sweat may soon become one of the most valuable signals our bodies produce, quietly guiding us toward better health every day.