The Exhaled Breath Condensate (EBCare) mask monitors respiratory ailments including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) post-COVID-19 infections, asthma and more. The wearable works by monitoring for chemicals in exhalations to offer readings, and doesn’t track breathing rate, humidity or temperature. The mask has also proven to be accurate at measuring blood alcohol levels, which identifies a potential use for the future as a cheaper alternative to conventional breathalyzers.
Professor Wei Gao spoke on the EBCare mask saying, “These first studies are a proof of concept. We want to expand this technology to incorporate different markers related to various health conditions. This is a foundation for creating a mask that functions as a versatile general health-monitoring platform.”
Image Credit: Caltech/Wei Gao and Wenzheng Heng