Developing new <1mm microneedle sensors to actively and painlessly monitor the key indicators of energy levels, metabolism and fatigue in biomarkers under the skin in real-time

The human body is unique, with each person having varying metabolic needs, energy expenditure and a diverse response to exercise and food. Quantifying how diet, hydration and exercise impact our bodies in such singular ways is currently impossible outside of the lab, with people currently reliant on wearables that provide generic data such as heart-rate, body weight and movement data.

Whilst the wearable technology market is still rapidly growing £21.5bn by 2022 (233m\_unit\_sales), innovation in the sector has slowed ([Forbes:2018][0]) and the vast majority of devices still feature the same sensors (GPS\_heart rate\_accelerometer)as 10 years ago.

We are a sensor start-up based at the Imperial College London Translation and Innovation Hub that develops innovative personalised health and wellbeing sensor devices. Working in partnership with Sports Science department of Loughborough and British Triathlon athletes, we intend to develop the world's first molecular performance tracker - monitoring biomarkers in the bodies' dermal interstitial fluid just below the skin in real-time, to provide insights on energy, metabolism, fatigue, blood-sugar level and diet to help optimise training, improve diet, prevent exhaustion and reduce the risk of fatigue-related injury.

The ability to unobtrusively monitor the bodies' biomarkers in real-time has significant wider potential as both a personal health monitor- helping people understand when to eat, hydrate, rest etc. (personal & military markets) and as a medical device- providing real-time monitoring of biomarkers indicators of health conditions (e.g. diabetes, sepsis etc.)

[0]: https://www.forbes.com/sites/paullamkin/2018/10/23/smart-wearables-market-to-double-by-2022-27-billion-industry-forecast/#3231bbac2656