Users of the smart bandage developed by researchers at Zhejiang University can use a mobile phone to monitor the recovery process. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

Skin wounds may cause severe pain and even infection if not treated properly. To improve the treatment of skin wounds, a research team at Zhejiang University has developed a wireless and energy-free smart bandage that can monitor the recovery process, local media outlets reported on May 14.

The team was led by professor Liu Qingjun from the College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument Science, Zhejiang University. Their research was published in the famous journal Advanced Functional Materials.

Located on interior of the bandage are flexible electrodes which can not only monitor indexes such as PH value and uric acid level, but also help create a skin-friendly touch.

These electrodes can transmit data to a mobile device and help shed light on usage and medication dosage.

Statistics based on an animal experiment. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

Liu said that medicine applied on traditional bandages usually diffuse slowly and steadily into the target area, and this may cause a festering of the wound. With this new bandage, doctors can precisely control the dosage of the medicine.