I keep finding myself coming back to the idea of 24/7 diagnostics, or being proactive instead of reactive in regard to health/medicine. A recently published article in Medgadget talks about how Purdue researchers have developed a battery-free smart fabric. The smart fabric harvests electrical power from nearby wifi networks and radio waves in a process known as magnetic resonance coupling. This power can then be used to activate on-garmet electrical systems, including body monitors. The fabrics are water repellant, breathable, and machine washable making them practical for everyday use.
While obviously still very raw, the potential applications this could be used for are interesting. Lulu with a built in diagnostic into the fabric? What are the limitations to what the technology can diagnose? Can it be made to check for more biomarkers than the Apple Watch? What would it cost to make/is it difficult to integrate into the fabric? There are many other questions but the concept is fascinating nonetheless.
