Background

Current Lactate sensors on the market are usually invasive and require lab analysis. There is a large market gap for non-invasive, real time lactate sensors available to the general public. Main users will be athletes and the average consumer who wants access in tracking health/daily activities. Our team is proposing a dual lactate and sodium sensor that will send data to a mobile device for user output. 

According to an article by the American Chemical Society:

"Sports physiology will likely benefit from a technology able to account for high-resolution temporal lactate changes according to the intensity of the physical activity, rather than discrete information from centralized lab-based analysis.” 

The SmartSweat project aims to bridge this gap, providing hydration and metabolic insights in a wearable design. 

 

Goal and Objectives

Goal: Design and prototype a wearable patch that measures both lactate and sodium continuously and streams to a phone. 

Fall Objectives:

11/3/25 (WK6) Complete background research on sodium and lactate sensing methods

11/12/25 (WK7)  Overall build planning and purchasing for electrode sensors, chemical membranes, and electrical components

11/21/25 (WK8) Sodium and lactate sensor prototype assembly 

11/24/25 (WK9) Testing prototype and making modifications

12/3/25 (WK10) Live experimental tests and modifications/refinements

Winter Objectives: 

1/19/26 (WK 3) Running experimental tests, data collection, and design refinements

2/2/26 (WK 5) Develop mobile application interface for real-time data visualization

2/9/26 (WK 6) Conduct app analysis testing during simulations

2/16/26 (WK 7) Data output refinements based on feedback and fix for consumer usability

3/2/26 (WK 10) Finalize functional device and documentation

 

Novelty/Patent Goals 

SmartSweat introduces an innovative dual-analyte sweat detecting device, measuring sodium and lactate in a compact wearable patch. The lactate monitor is uniquely integrated as it currently does not exist on the market non-invasively. Merging this with sodium detection can provide accessible comprehensive insights relating to health activity for users. Given the novelty of this dual approach, SmartSweat is aimed to pursue a patent for unique sensor integration to become a commercially wearable device. 

Team Contact

Luke Hsing - lhsing@uci.edu

Eileen Hom - ejhom@uci.edu 

Agustin Gutierrez - agustiag@uci.edu

Tanya Nguyen - tanyan4@uci.edu

Sponsor/Advisor 

Dr. Amir Sahjadi - amir.yousef.sajjadi@gmail.com

 

Project status: 
Active
Department: 
MAE
Term: 
Fall
Winter
Academic Year: 
2025-2026