NISKAYUNA, N.Y. (AP) — GE Global Research, the technology development arm of General Electric Co., said Tuesday it will get $2 million federal grant to develop wearable sensors that alert people to chemical weapons and diseases.
Radio-frequency identification sensors are commonly used to track materials, including in baggage at airports. GE's sensors would combine the tracking capability with gas sensors that could detect harmful chemicals in the air. Because they can be smaller than a penny, GE says the sensors could be integrated into identification badges or serve as part of warning systems.
GE said it also will develop sensors that can analyze breath and pick up early signs of diseases such as diabetes and cancer.
The grant is from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, which is part of the National Institutes of Health.