# Heart-Monitoring Chest Straps Empa's Heart Rate-Monitoring Strap Stays Moistened On Its Own By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2015-05-08 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/empa References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/self-moistening-heart-rate-chest-strap/37334/) & [empa.ch](http://www.empa.ch) Scientists from Switzerland's Empa research institute have developed a self-moistening [heart rate-monitoring chest strap](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polar-h10) that is designed for use in situations where electrocardiograms or ECGs need to be recorded over a period of several days. The problem with [existing heart rate monitors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fourth-frontier-x2) is that they need to be moistened with gel once a day in order for the skin's electrical signals to be properly conducted. This strap gets rid of that problem. Empa's strap is equipped with a reservoir that wicks a steady supply of water to a wetting element that sits between the wearer's skin and the contraption's electrodes. The device is designed to prevent [skin irritation](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mij-technology) and keep crucial nanoparticles from being released. While the technology is still in prototype form, it has shown a lot of promise and looks set to become a superior alternative to existing heart rate-monitoring devices. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.5/10 - Popularity: 11% | Activity: 26% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Self-moistening Healthcare Devices:** Developing self-moistening mechanisms for healthcare devices presents an opportunity for companies to improve patient comfort and compliance. - **Continuous Monitoring Technologies:** Investing in continuous monitoring technologies can help healthcare providers gather more accurate data for diagnosis and treatment of conditions. - **Nanoparticle-resistant Wearables:** Advancements in nanoparticle-resistant materials for wearables can help improve user safety and reduce environmental impact. ### Where This Applies - **Healthcare:** Self-moistening healthcare devices can greatly benefit the healthcare industry, particularly in remote health monitoring and telehealth services. - **Fitness Tracking:** The use of self-moistening chest straps and continuous monitoring technologies can help improve accuracy and user experience in the fitness tracking industry. - **Environmental Technology:** Developing nanoparticle-resistant wearables creates opportunities for the environmental technology industry to reduce waste and improve sustainability in electronics manufacturing. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [ECG-Monitoring T-Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/viscero-vest.md) - [Wearable Sweat-Analyzing Patches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sweanty.md) - [Sweat-Wicking Wearable Biosensors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hydration-biosensor.md) - [Athletic Sweat-Tracking Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hydrosense-ai-sweat-sensor.md) - [Battery-Free Health Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uci.md) - [Stretchable Sweat-Activated Yarn Batteries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yarn-battery.md) - [All-Day Smart Heart Monitors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fourth-frontier-x2.md) - [Connected Monitoring Bandages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wound-bandage.md) - [Sweat-Analyzing Hydration Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nix-hydration-biosensor.md)