EarthTones: Chemical Sensing Powders to Detect and Display Environmental Hazards through Color Variation

How much harmful exposure do we risk every day from invisible environmental pollutants? Whether we are in our homes, out commuting, or simply enjoying an afternoon stroll, these unseen hazards can often go undetected by humans leading to minor symptoms such as nausea, and even fatal diseases such as cancer under prolonged exposure. For instance, long term exposure to CO can result in respiratory problems, and UV is linked to increased rates of skin cancer. While there are technologies designed to detect environmental hazards they still require limited uses of power and electronics (and pairing with phone apps), and entire systems are unlikely worn seamlessly on the body.

For some, applying powders or creams is a daily habitual practice. Whether decorative or medicinal, they seamlessly blend with our bodies when applied, and are designed to be easily removed. Today, people apply powders to protect their skin while enhancing features and covering flaws. Unlike traditional passive powders, we chemically engineer ours to also function as continuous sensors and actuators. We seek to integrate environmental sensing into existing daily practices of wearing body powders, which are already exposed to the environment and visible to the naked eye, rather than adopting an additional device practice.

UV sensing powder color change from yellow (a), to dark red (c) occurs when exposed to UV rays.

EarthTones is a cosmetic-inspired wearable chemical sensing powders designed to detect the exposure levels of harmful environmental factors through color change. We seek to create an analog display experience through chemical reaction that overcomes current constraints of wearable displays which are often confined to rigid materials and limited battery life. We selected three hazards, carbon monoxide (CO), ultraviolet (UV) rays, and ozone(O3), then designed three unique chemical changing powders to reflect elevated levels. The powders can achieve color changes distinguishable to the human eye, while maintaining an aesthetic appeal to the wearer.

We performed technical evaluations on each set to test performance of powders under exposure levels while we simulated a skin friendly version to mirror these results for user feedback. Additionally, we ran an 18 person user study to gauge initial reactions. We observed that participants resonated with the analog nature of the powders as it mirrored natural skin color change behavior, and found opportunities for personalization in the versatile form factor.

Full Paper (opens in new tab) (Alt-Chi 2017 Denver CO)