The fields of flexible electronics and microfluidic-based labs-on-a-chip continue to advance with new devices and systems-level technologies. However, much of this advancement is limited to each of these fields separately, rather than combining flexible electronics and microfluidics together to realize wearable sensors and sensor systems. We present new approaches for combining electronics and microfluidic devices together on wearable textile-based substrates, resulting in combined systems that are highly portable, mechanically flexible, and can be easily integrated with clothing. Application areas include health care, worker safety, food safety, consumer devices, personalized medicine and biomedical and environmental monitoring. We present technologies for specific applications that include: lighting and health monitors for safety vests; heart and perspiration (pH, lactate) monitors for athletic clothing; and wearable bioelectric and biochemical monitoring.
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