The Biostamp can replace today’s clunky biomedical sensors

By Tekla S. Perry

I turn the key to start the little Ford SUV I’ve rented for my visit to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a message flashes briefly on the dash: “Tire pressure low.” I ignore it. My own car is 12 years old; I’m not accustomed to a car that monitors its own health. Turns out, though, that the little Ford wasn’t kidding. The next morning I find the car has a flat tire.

Modern cars are laden with sensors that constantly monitor the vehicle’s vitals and indicate, for example, when a filter needs replacing or whether the air bag is working. Electronics diagnose failures after they happen and even predict problems that are imminent. Wouldn’t it be great if we could monitor our bodies in much the same way?  …[Read more]