EMPOWERING LIVES THROUGH
TOXIN DETECTION
Introducing…Kelp Help! A state-of-the-art bandana that collects sweat and converts it to allow for an early detection system for toxic metabolites. This is a cost effective, and widely available biosensor that can detect emergent neurotoxins within the body through contact with sweat in order to expedite and democratize the process of early detection.
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The bandana is a visual cue of the wellness of the people within a community, changing colors when foreign substances are detected. Kelp, which is a natural material that has already been used to create fabric and clothing, allows minerals and nutrients to travel in and out of the skin. Being incredibly absorbent, kelp allows our bandana to pick up any sweat the body secretes. Our research revealed that there are various types of bacteria that both conduct, and “eat” electrical currents, allowing us to create a bioelectrode. We combined these two properties that these organisms had and designed two different kinds of materials for our bandana. One that induces sweat and one that eats the foreign metabolites and changes colors, yielding early detection information.
Kelp Help is created using two different materials. First is Kelp, which is a natural material that has already been used to create fabric and clothing, allows minerals and nutrients to travel in and out of the skin. Also being incredibly absorbent, kelp allows our bandana to pick up any sweat the body secretes. We also found that there are various types of bacteria that both conduct, and “eat” electrical currents, which would allow us to create a bioelectrode. We combined these two properties that these organisms had and designed two different kinds of materials for our bandana. One that induces sweat and one that eats the foreign metabolites and changes colors.
The electrical current was essential due to its ability to induce sweat, through a process called Iontophoresis. This is a process of transdermal drug delivery by use of a small voltage gradient on the skin. Molecules are transported across the stratum corneum by electrophoresis and electroosmosis as well as increasing the permeability of the skin.
These bandanas can then be sold together with the product they are being used with. Being tied to the canisters of pesticides or bottles of household cleaning supplies, to camping gear.
Andrew
Game Designer
3D Modeler
Katelyn
Game Designer
Animatic Illustrator
Whitney
Game Designer
3D Modeler
Courtney
Graphic Designer
Animatic Illustrator
