There's a Tatt for That

Researchers at Northeastern University have come up with a way to measure sodium and glucose levels in the blood that combines the iPhone with fluorescing nanoparticle tattoos.

According to a report this week in MIT's Technology Review, the technique involves "tattooing" the skin with a solution containing nanoparticles that fluoresce when exposed to certain molecules. The level of fluorescence indicates how much of a given molecule (glucose or sodium, for example) is present in the blood.

The iPhone, with some modifications, then measures the level of fluorescence. Those modifications include a filter for the iPhone's camera and a three-LED array, according to the report.

Measuring sodium levels could help athletes detect dehydration, while measuring glucose levels could provide diabetics with an alternative to finger pricking.

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