by Smart accessories have become increasingly popular, with devices like rings and watches tracking vital signs and even glasses equipped with cameras and microphones. However, there are still certain accessories that have not yet been integrated with smart technology. Researchers from the University of Washington have recently introduced the Thermal Earring, a wireless wearable device that continuously monitors the temperature of a person’s earlobe.
In a study involving six users, the Thermal Earring outperformed a smartwatch in sensing skin temperature during periods of rest. It also showed promise in monitoring signs of stress, eating, exercise, and ovulation. The prototype of the smart earring is approximately the size and weight of a small paperclip and has a remarkable 28-day battery life. The device consists of a magnetic clip that attaches one temperature sensor to the wearer’s earlobe, while another sensor dangles about an inch below to estimate room temperature. The earring can be customized with various fashion designs made of resin or even gemstones without compromising its accuracy.
The researchers published their findings in Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies. However, the Thermal Earring is not currently available for commercial purchase.
The inspiration for the Thermal Earring stemmed from the desire to create a fashionable wearable that could monitor health without the bulkiness and discomfort associated with smartwatches. Co-lead author Qiuyue (Shirley) Xue, a doctoral student in the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington, stated, “I wear a smartwatch to track my personal health, but I’ve found that a lot of people think smartwatches are unfashionable or bulky and uncomfortable. I also like to wear earrings, so we started thinking about what unique things we can get from the earlobe. We found that sensing the skin temperature on the lobe, instead of a hand or wrist, was much more accurate. It also gave us the option to have part of the sensor dangle to separate ambient room temperature from skin temperature.”
Creating a wearable device small enough to pass as an earring while maintaining a robust design presented an engineering challenge. Co-lead author Yujia (Nancy) Liu, who was a master’s student in the electrical and computer engineering department at the University of Washington during the research and is now at the University of California San Diego, explained, “It’s a tricky balance. Typically, if you want power to last longer, you should have a bigger battery. But then you sacrifice size. Making it wireless also demands more energy.” The team managed to optimize the earring’s power consumption while incorporating essential components such as a Bluetooth chip, a battery, two temperature sensors, and an antenna. Instead of pairing the earring with a device, which requires more power, it utilizes Bluetooth advertising mode to transmit data. After reading and sending the temperature, it enters deep sleep mode to conserve power.
The continuous monitoring of earlobe temperature is a relatively unexplored area of study. Thus, the researchers also investigated potential applications that could guide future research. In a comparison between five patients with fevers and twenty healthy patients, it was found that the average earlobe temperature rose by 10.62°F (5.92°C) in individuals with fevers, indicating the earring’s potential for continuous fever monitoring.
Dr. Mastafa Springston, a clinical instructor at the Department of Emergency Medicine in the UW School of Medicine and a co-author of the study, highlighted the significance of continuous fever monitoring in medicine, stating, “In medicine, we often monitor fevers to assess response to therapy—to see, for instance, if an antibiotic is working on an infection… Longer term monitoring is a way to increase the sensitivity of capturing fevers since they can rise and fall throughout the day.”
The Thermal Earring holds great potential not only in fashion and wearable technology but also in the field of healthcare. With its ability to accurately monitor temperature and potential for applications in fever monitoring, it could revolutionize the way we track and manage our health. As further research and development are conducted, it will be intriguing to witness the advancements and potential impacts this innovative wearable can bring to various aspects of our lives.
Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemicals and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc.
