Sky News: Could interstitial fluid replace blood?

UC graduate discusses new frontier of health monitoring

Sky News highlighted University of Cincinnati research into the next frontier of continuous health monitoring.

UC College of Engineering and Applied Science graduate Mark Friedel developed a prototype sensor that monitors chemicals found in the interstitial fluid just under your skin. The sensor uses tiny microneedles that pick up information about your health that can be tracked over time.

UC College of Engineering and Applied Science doctoral graduate Mark Friedel was co-lead author on a new paper on sensors in UC professor Jason Heikenfeld's Novel Devices Lab.

UC biomedical engineering graduate Mark Friedel and his research collaborators developed wearable technology in UC professor Jason Heikenfeld's Novel Devices Lab. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

He co-authored a study looking at the potential for interstitial fluid in continuous health monitoring that was published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering.

Interstitial fluid contains many of the same chemicals and biomarkers that doctors use in blood to diagnose disease or track health and wellness, Friedel told Local 12.

Friedel developed the sensor in UC professor Jason Heikenfeld's Novel Devices Lab.

“Why we see it as a valuable diagnostic fluid is continuous access. With blood, you can’t easily take continuous readings,” Friedel said.

Featured image at top: UC's Mantei Center is a cornerstone of the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

More UC biomedical engineering in the news

A sensor on an arm.

University of Cincinnati biomedical engineers say sensors that monitor interstitial fluid could be the next frontier for wearable technology. Photo/Mark Friedel

Jason Heikenfeld with his sweat sensor technology at the 1819 Innovation Hub.

UC College of Engineering and Applied Science professor Jason Heikenfeld and his students develop wearable technology in his Novel Devices Lab. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

Related Stories

1

Ohio nurses weigh in on proposed federal loan rule

December 12, 2025

Spectrum News journalist Javari Burnett spoke with UC Dean Alicia Ribar and UC nursing students Megan Romero and Nevaeh Haskins about proposed new federal student loan rules. Romero and Haskins, both seniors, were filmed in the College of Nursing’s Simulation Lab.

3

UC awarded nearly $1 million to help fight infant obesity spike

December 12, 2025

University of Cincinnati researcher Cathy Stough spoke with Spectrum News1 about a nearly $1 million National Institutes of Health grant awarded to UC to help prevent infant obesity through early nutrition support and family-based interventions.