Diabetic patients will eventually have a strong new technique in their combat against the disease. Chulalongkorn University's Metallurgy and Materials Science Research Institute is set to start cutting-edge wellness creativity: a wristwatch that tests blood sugar levels in sweat in real-time.

The research group won a Successful Discovery Award for Science and Pharmacy in 2021, as well as a partnership with the National Science and Technology Development Agency, for creating the ultimate wristwatch that can measure sugar levels and lactate amounts from sweat.

The watch, according to Chula researchers, is precise, painless, and less costly than imported equipment. They add that it should be available on the market earlier.

Dr Natnadda Rodthongkam, deputy director of the Metallurgy and Materials Science Research Institute, stated that, "Medical reports indicate that the level of glucose in sweat is directly related to blood sugar."

As a result of this discovery, they created a system that can tell a patient's glucose level in real-time. This is crucial in the everyday lives of diabetic patients who must track and regulate their blood sugar levels regularly. It also lessens the pressure on healthcare staff and saves time and risk associated with repeated hospital visits, according to Natnadda.

This Chula-NSTDA collaboration investigated and produced a special yarn substance that is biochemically engineered to absorb sweat while still being responsive to glucose and lactate enzymes in a single unit. Diabetics may use this smartwatch to check their blood glucose and lactate levels at any moment.

"The hue would be bright if the blood glucose level is minimal, dark if the level is high, and much darker if the lactate level is high." Natnadda elaborated.

The study team is currently evaluating the watch's efficacy on diabetics and people with poor muscles, with the support of diabetes specialists and the Comprehensive Geriatric Clinic at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. This system will be further adapted to be used by actual diabetic patients soon after effective trials to ensure its performance.

The team also expects that this smartwatch will be popular with patients and that it will help cut the expense of importing expensive medical equipment from other countries.