Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science in the U.S. have developed a sophisticated necklace, called WearSens.

WearSens allows users to track and monitor their food and drink intake. Researchers said the new device could help fight diabetes, obesity, heart disease and other nutrition related problems.

Like Us on Facebook

WearSens is worn just above the sternum. It utilizes piezoelectric sensors to record vibrations from the user's act of swallowing. The device works with a smartphone to capture data.

A user's skin and muscle movements of the lower trachea provoke the sensors, which in turn transfers the signals to the user's smartphone.

According to a report, the researchers will continue to improve and refine WearSens' design and algorithms. The device will be launched later this year.

"Today, many people try to track their food intake with journals, but this is often not effective or convenient," said Majid Sarrafzadeh, co-director of UCLA's Wireless Health Institute (WHI) and professor of computer science.

"This technology allows individuals and health care professionals to monitor intake with greater accuracy and more immediacy." Sarrafzadeh added.

Sarrafzadeh led the team that developed WearSens, including its algorithm that translates information from the device.

The necklace was already tested on 30 people who ate various foods, according to a report.

"The breakthroughs are in the design of the necklace, which is simple and does not interfere with daily activity, and in identifying statistical measures that distinguish food intake based on spectrogram images generated from piezoelectric sensor signals," said Nabil Alshurafa, a graduate student and researcher at the university.

Alshurafa also contributed to the development of the device and he's the first author of the research.

TagsWearSens, Smart Necklace, Food and Drink Intake, Monitoring Technology, UCLA, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, Wireless Health Institute, WHI