Recent News
2019 News Releases
New chip for waking up small wireless devices could extend battery life
November 12, 2019
A new power saving chip could significantly reduce or eliminate the need to replace batteries in Internet of Things (IoT) devices and wearables. The so-called wake-up receiver wakes up a device only when it needs to communicate and perform its function, saving on power use. Full Story
Pacifier embedded with biosensors monitors newborn glucose levels
November 7, 2019
CWS researchers created a pacifier-based electrochemical biosensor that tracks real-time glucose levels in a baby's saliva. Until now, it has been difficult to use wearables with babies and infants. Biosensors are typically made with bulky and rigid surfaces that could be harmful to a baby's skin. Long term use of wearables could cause discomfort for babies that they cannot communicate. The new biosensor is created with soft, pacifier-like materials that are safe for babies. When an infant sucks on the pacifier, small amounts of saliva transfer through the channel to the integrated outside detection chamber. Full Story
Congressional hearing discusses CWS innovations
November 7, 2019
At a recent Congressional hearing, the following question was posed: "If resources were available, what is the innovative research you would like to pursue?" One of the answers discussed continuous, wearable health trackers, such as the ultrasound patch for monitoring blood pressure developed by the lab of Sheng Xu. Full Story
Center for Wearable Sensors Fall 2019 Research Summit
October 23, 2019
The Center for Wearable Sensors hosted its Fall 2019 Research Summit on Oct. 23. UC San Diego faculty gave talks on their CWS projects, ranging from smart glasses for everyday health monitoring to minimally invasive microneedles for interstitial fluid monitoring. Full Story
Joseph Wang named among 2019 Class of ECS Fellows
September 9, 2019
Fellow of The Electrochemical Society was established in 1989 for advanced individual technological contributions in the fields of electrochemistry and solid state science and technology and service to the Society. These members are being recognized at the plenary session for scientific achievements, for leadership, and for active participation in the affairs of ECS. Each year, up to 15 renowned scientists and engineers are chosen by their peers for this honor. Join us in celebrating the 2019 class of the Fellows of The Electrochemical Society. Full Story
How to simulate softness
August 30, 2019
UC San Diego researchers discovered clever tricks to design materials that replicate different levels of perceived softness. The findings provide fundamental insights into designing tactile materials and haptic interfaces that can recreate realistic touch sensations. Full Story
Darren Lipomi receives NSF grant to develop new materials for haptics and as tools for understanding the sense of touch
August 20, 2019
Mimicking fine-grained sensations of touch requires materials that can change their mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties in real time. The Lipomi lab will approach this task by developing a system of haptic devices based on materials that can create sensations that can be transformed dynamically--e.g., rough vs. smooth, hot vs. cold, and sticky vs. slimy. Leveraging the flexible, wearable nature of these "haptic biomaterials," the investigators will build a prototype haptic glove that will allow a human user to differentiate between virtual objects by touch. Full Story
Wearable Electrochemical Microneedle Sensor for Continuous Monitoring of Levodopa: Toward Parkinson Management
August 12, 2019
A new wearable sensor could offer minimally invasive monitoring of the medication levodopa (L-Dopa) for patients with Parkinson's disease. The latest paper from the Laboratory for Nanobioelectronics led by Joseph Wang was published in ACS Sensors. The work could lead to treatments that optimize individual drug dosing and therefore improve disease symptoms. Full Story
Three UC San Diego Engineering Professors Receive Presidential Early Career Awards
July 3, 2019
Three faculty members at the University of California San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering have been named recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on scientists and engineers in the early stages of their independent research careers. Full Story
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Wearable cooling and heating patch could serve as personal thermostat and save energy
May 17, 2019
UC San Diego engineers have developed a wearable patch that could provide personalized cooling and heating at home, work, or on the go. The soft, stretchy patch cools or warms a user’s skin to a comfortable temperature and keeps it there as the ambient temperature changes. It is powered by a flexible, stretchable battery pack and can be embedded in clothing. Researchers say wearing it could help save energy on air conditioning and heating. Full Story
Bioengineers are inducted into renowned biomedical engineering institute
March 25, 2019
Two researchers at Jacobs School of Engineering were inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), the organization announced. Professors Pedro Cabrales and Todd Coleman from the Department of Bioengineering were recognized during a ceremony at the National Academy of Sciences Great Hall in Washington, DC, on March 25. Full Story
Printed sensors provide on the spot fentanyl detection
March 21, 2019
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed screen-printed sensors that could offer a faster, convenient and low-cost method to detect the drug fentanyl. The sensors can detect micromolar concentrations of fentanyl in just one minute. They are easy to produce, cost only a few cents apiece, and are disposable. Full Story
Review in Nature Biotechnology: Wearable biosensors for healthcare monitoring
February 25, 2019
UC San Diego researchers at the Center for Wearable Sensors published a review article in the journal Nature Biotechnology cataloging state-of-the-art advances in wearable biosensors for healthcare monitoring. The review article also highlights areas where more research is necessary. Full Story