Louise van der Werff, a Ph.D. student from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, has created a bandage that changes color in response to changes in heat. Looking somewhat like a giant mood ring, the psychedelic bandage is made up of special thermochromatic fibers that can detect changes in temperature as small as half a degree Celsius. Since inflammation or problems with blood supply at the wound site can cause an increase in temperature that can lead to an infection, a quick and accurate diagnosis is necessary. The color-changing bandage holds many advantages over the most common method of using electronic instruments in that it requires no electricity, gives a near-instant measurements, and costs less. Moreover, as the thermochromatic fibers can change to a wide range of colors, physicians can match the color of the fibers with a calibrated chart. Groovy!
Article from Monash University: Heat sensitive bandage could combat infection….
(hat tip: Fresh Science)