Wearable vitamin D tracker wins Latvia's competition of innovative scientific projects

RIGA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- A wristband fitted with an optic sensor for measuring vitamin D levels has won the Deep Science Hackathon, a competition of innovative scientific ideas held by the Institute of Solid State Physics at the University of Latvia.

During the three days of the competition, interdisciplinary teams of young scientists developed their ideas under mentors' supervision. At the end of the event, they presented their projects to the jury, potential investors and stakeholders.

A team which had symbolically named themselves Vitamin D developed their idea of a noninvasive method for testing the vitamin D level. The jury judging the submissions found this to be the soundest business project.

The innovative method changes the way the level of vitamin D is measured in both adults and children as it no longer requires taking blood samples. Given the negative effects of vitamin D deficiency, the new technology is likely to prove highly useful, especially in regions like Latvia where people do not get enough sunlight, which is an important source of vitamin D.

The winning team received a 9,000 euro prize which includes a six-month support program, provided by the Institute of Solid State Physics in collaboration with Swedish partners KTH and RISE, as well as support from PRO Startup Studija. The support includes mentors' assistance, creation of a prototype and further attraction of financing.

The First Deep Science Hackathon, which took place from May 18 to 20, was the first activity of the Materize platform, which the Institute of Solid State Physics has set up for services export and cooperation with the high-tech industry. Enditem