Alcohol Measuring Skyn Wristband Wins US competition

By: | June 2nd, 2016

Image courtesy http://www.bactrack.com/

This wristband looks more like a fashion accessory than an alcohol testing device.

‘Skyn’ wristband developed by San Francisco-based company BACtrack can measure the alcohol level in your blood just from the sweat on your skin.

BACtrack won the $200,000 grand prize at a US Government-sponsored competition with its device, which looks much like any other fitness trackers. Skyn beat eight other prototypes submitted at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Wearable Biosensor Challenge.

Skyn uses technology similar to that used by law enforcement agencies, but it is compact, light, discreet, and non-invasive.

The result from a Breathalyzer is instant, but it takes up to 45 minutes for alcohol to be transmitted through the skin. So, this device can’t replace the traditional breathalyzers used by cops, but it can be used to continuously monitor blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

You can use it to keep an eye on your drinking habits or warn you if you are driving. The data history can also be shared with your doctor. It can notify your family or friends if it detects high BAC as well.

Nidhi Goyal

Nidhi is a gold medalist Post Graduate in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences.

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