# 78. Microneedle Wearables & Spider Web Inspired Food Packaging For A Healthier Future

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2022-07-12
- Length: 28m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-07-12-78-microneedle-wearables-spider-web-inspired-food-packaging-for-a-healthier-futu
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/78-microneedle-wearables-spider-web-inspired-food-packaging-for-a-healthier-future-MwW9SFiL

## Summary

Daniel Farbod and Forbode discuss a UC San Diego team's development of a microneedle wearable patch that simultaneously tracks glucose, alcohol, lactate, and vitals, with the team founding a startup called Akillix to commercialize the device. They then cover Harvard University’s Professor Kit Parker’s research into spider-web-inspired food packaging made from pectin and antimicrobial agents, which extends the shelf life of avocados and reduces food waste. The hosts highlight how both innovations leverage advanced materials and sensors to solve critical health monitoring and food safety challenges.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-07-12-78-microneedle-wearables-spider-web-inspired-food-packaging-for-a-healthier-futu#t=0) Introduction and Mouser Electronics Sponsor Read
- [2:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-07-12-78-microneedle-wearables-spider-web-inspired-food-packaging-for-a-healthier-futu#t=134) UC San Diego Microneedle Wearable and Akillix Startup
- [14:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-07-12-78-microneedle-wearables-spider-web-inspired-food-packaging-for-a-healthier-futu#t=880) Harvard University Spider Web Inspired Food Packaging
- [27:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-07-12-78-microneedle-wearables-spider-web-inspired-food-packaging-for-a-healthier-futu#t=1629) Conclusion and Show Wrap

## Topics

- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Mouser Electronics (company)
- UC San Diego (company)
- Akillix (company)
- Harvard University (company)
- Professor Kit Parker (other)
- rotary jet spinning (tool)
- pectin (material)
- tea tree oil (material)
- citric acid (material)

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- [98 - The Packaging News from the week of 1-10 covering Melodea, LinkedIn Creator Cory Connors, So Fresh Inc](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-01-17-98-the-packaging-news-from-the-week-of-1-10-covering-melodea-linkedin-creator-co) (People of Packaging)
- [Household Robots Are Now Available, Moonwalker Shoes Help You Walk Faster, And More | Hard Tech #3](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2023-06-04-household-robots-are-now-available-moonwalker-shoes-help-you-walk-faster-and-mor) (Hard Tech Podcast)
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- [Founder Feature: Alan Scholnick of Datefix](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-01-09-founder-feature-alan-scholnick-of-datefix) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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