Scientists make film that absorbs sweat’s moisture, helps power devices

NUS scientists have developed a film that is “extremely effective in evaporating sweat” from the skin and then absorbing the moisture from sweat.

The film can rapidly release water on exposure to sunlight and can be “regenerated” and reused for more than 100 times. Scientists also made a wearable energy harvesting device comprising eight ECs, using the film as electrolyte.

As reported by Phys.org, The scientists also found that the film, when moist, can be tapped to generate electricity to power wearable electronic devices such as watches and fitness trackers.

The film is made mainly from two water-absorbing chemicals – cobalt chloride and ethanolamine, which are known for their high moisture absorbency rate.

As the material has a strong tendency to attract moisture, it is able to force the sweat from one’s skin surface to vaporise, thus quickening the pace of natural sweat evaporation