# 114. The Big Deal In (Smart) Diapers

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2023-03-21
- Length: 20m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-03-21-114-the-big-deal-in-smart-diapers
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/114-the-big-deal-in-smart-diapers-V9w0oHtN

## Summary

Hosts Daniel and Forbode discuss a flexible humidity sensor developed by researchers at Penn State University that enables smart diapers and other health monitoring applications. The sensor is created by spraying paper with a sodium chloride (salt) solution and drawing a circuit with a pencil, leveraging graphite and ionization to detect moisture. The hosts explore its ability to monitor breath patterns for respiratory health, skin humidity for dehydration detection, and its potential for low-cost touchless sensing interfaces.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-03-21-114-the-big-deal-in-smart-diapers#t=0) Introduction: Smart Diapers and Penn State Research
- [1:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-03-21-114-the-big-deal-in-smart-diapers#t=85) The Maker Spirit: Solving the Diaper Problem
- [4:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-03-21-114-the-big-deal-in-smart-diapers#t=255) Low-Cost Manufacturing: Pencil, Paper, and Salt
- [5:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-03-21-114-the-big-deal-in-smart-diapers#t=337) Physics of the Sensor: Graphite and Ionization
- [8:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-03-21-114-the-big-deal-in-smart-diapers#t=482) Application 1: Breath Monitoring and Health Insights
- [10:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-03-21-114-the-big-deal-in-smart-diapers#t=635) Application 2: Smart Diapers and Skin Humidity
- [14:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-03-21-114-the-big-deal-in-smart-diapers#t=874) Application 3: Touchless Sensing and Elevator Control
- [18:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-03-21-114-the-big-deal-in-smart-diapers#t=1100) Conclusion: Scalability and Accessibility

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Penn State (company)
- Wevolver (company)
- Apple Watch (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [168: Put Your Gear on the Ping Pong Table](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-09-14-168-put-your-gear-on-the-ping-pong-table) (Embedded.fm)
- [522: The Information Is In Poop](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-03-06-522-the-information-is-in-poop) (Embedded.fm)
- [Detecting Scents & Smells With IoT Sensors | Altered Carbon's Ali Rohafza](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2022-02-17-detecting-scents-smells-with-iot-sensors-altered-carbons-ali-rohafza) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [394: Being Four-Year-Olds](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-12-03-394-being-four-year-olds) (Embedded.fm)
- [65: Resonant Frequency of My Butt](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-08-27-65-resonant-frequency-of-my-butt) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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