This high-tech tattoo can be used to power gadgets in the future

 

Who would have thought sweating would one day become cool—at least as far as charging your mobile devices are concerned?

 

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a removable tattoo that can generate power from perspiration, the American Chemical Society said.

 

"It works by measuring a chemical called lactate that is naturally present in sweat. The more intense the workout, the more lactate your body produces," it said in a video posted on YouTube.

 

Also, it said the sensor removes electrons from lactate to generate a small electrical current.

 

Dr. Joseph Wang and his team at UC San Diego demonstrated their invention at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Francisco.

 

"Wang hopes the device can eventually power a smart watch or heart rate monitor," the ACS said.

 

However, a separate report on tech site Engadget said testing for lactate may not be for the faint of heart as it involves "an invasive blood test during an exercise session."

 

"The most energy produced by one person during the test was 70 microWatts per square centimeter of skin, but work is already underway to boost the system so that if can be used to power small gadgets like watches and heart-rate sensors," it said. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News