Flexible Battery-Less UV Wearable for Personal Exposure Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wearable UV exposure devices are rigid, bulky, and not compatible with sunscreens, failing to provide continuous, flexible, and accurate monitoring of UV exposure.

Innovation Solution

A battery-less, flexible, ultra-small wearable UV sensor using a UV sensitive LED that measures UV exposure via electronic current, integrated with NFC RFID and antenna, connected to a smartphone app for data transmission and analysis, allowing for personalized UV monitoring and sunscreen recommendations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional wearable UV exposure devices are used, then UV exposure detection function is provided, but the device becomes rigid and bulky

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUV exposure detection functionVSAvoiddevice flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by using a flexible substrate as the base for the UV sensor device, allowing the device to conform to skin contours and be worn comfortably. The flexible substrate replaces rigid circuit boards and structural elements, enabling the device to bend and flex without breaking while maintaining all UV detection functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical battery compartments, switches, and rigid housing with electronic alternatives. The device uses flexible printed circuits instead of rigid circuit boards, and integrates power management electronics to eliminate mechanical battery replacement needs, thus achieving flexibility while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If conventional wearable UV exposure devices are used, then UV exposure detection function is provided, but the device is bulky

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUV exposure detection functionVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components from conventional UV devices, such as large batteries, mechanical switches, and protective housings. By using flexible electronics and integrating functions into a thin form factor, the device achieves accurate UV detection with minimal volume suitable for wearable application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the device components, particularly transitioning from rigid to flexible materials and reducing thickness. The use of flexible substrates and thin-film electronics allows the device to maintain full functionality while dramatically reducing its volume and making it suitable for conformal wear on skin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional wearable UV exposure devices are used, then UV exposure detection function is provided, but the device is not compatible with sunscreens

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUV exposure detection functionVSAvoidsunscreen compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible nature of the device allows it to be applied directly to skin areas where sunscreen is applied. The thin, conformal design enables the sensor to remain in contact with the skin and sunscreen without being displaced, allowing accurate measurement of UV exposure through sunscreened areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible substrate acts as an intermediary between the UV sensor and the skin/sunscreen interface. It allows the sensor to maintain close proximity to the skin for accurate detection while being flexible enough to conform to the application area, enabling compatibility with sunscreen application procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables continuous, accurate, and flexible UV exposure monitoring, providing personalized UV dose determination, health tracking, and sunscreen reminders, with the ability to upload data to a cloud server for comprehensive analysis.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor contains a UV sensitive LED that will induce electronic current proportional to UV exposure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3732450B1Device and system for personal UV exposure measurements

Publication Date: 2026.02.25 LOREAL SA

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C

AI summary

A system is provided for determining personal ultra-violet (UV) radiation measurements. The system may include a measurement device configured to measure UV irradiation; and a terminal device configured to receive an output of the measured UV irradiation from the measurement device and to display a specific user's personal UV exposure risk level based on at least the measured sun irradiation.