Equipping diapers with sensor technologies

Diapers are worn by infants and adults with a diverse range of needs, including severe incontinence, mobility impairments, and dementia. Often, the wearer requires care in maintaining basic hygiene, with many facing barriers in communication. The design of diapers must therefore account for realistic scenarios of care.

In healthcare settings, issues with traditional diapers are especially prominent. Routine checks are time-consuming and unpleasant for both caregivers and patients. They are also inefficient in addressing patients’ toileting needs, leading to unnecessary, prolonged contact with soiled diapers.

Given the world’s rapidly aging population, Hu et al. recognized an urgent need for advanced technological solutions to preserve the dignity of adult diaper-wearers and improve their overall health outcomes. They evaluated state-of-the-art smart diaper technologies and identified challenges in sensor durability, waste management, sustainability, and costs.

During a trip to a nursing home, authors Min Hu and Philip Lin Kiat Yap noticed several of the complexities of long-term diaper use.

“Despite scheduled diaper checks, the lingering unpleasant odor in their rooms was notably stronger than in restrooms,” said Hu. “Yap, a senior geriatric consultant, was deeply concerned about skin inflammation and sores and other complications caused by prolonged exposure to moisture.”

They plan to overcome these challenges in future endeavors.

“We plan on developing low-cost, disposable and high-sensitivity sensors that can differentiate between urine and feces while providing continuous, real-time monitoring of critical health indicators,” said Hu. “This includes exploring flexible, wearable, and wireless sensor technologies that can be seamlessly integrated into existing diaper manufacturing processes.”

Source: “Smart diapers: From wetness monitoring to early diagnosis,” by Min Hu, Jia Wei Lim, Philip Lin Kiat Yap, Ngoc Huong Lien Ha, Pei Shi Yeo, Guolin Xu, Rensheng Deng, Shiou Liang Wee, and Jackie Y. Ying, Applied Physics Reviews (2025). The article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0232027 .