A new sleep mask, which can track eye movements, including REM, during sleep, will be launched by nanotechnology innovator Somalytics at CES, being unveiled on 3 Jan, 2023.

The Soma Sleep mask means users can record detailed REM data while sleeping in their home environment – previously this type of data collection was only possible at an official sleep centre.

Using the mask, users can better understand their sleep stages and disruptions, which can improve wellness insights, sleep quality and health outcomes.

“Sleep problems affect the lives of billions of people, and understanding the quality of sleep is at the heart of the solution,” said Barbara Barclay, CEO of Somalytics. “REM is critical for learning and memory. Things such as snoring, back and leg problems, medication, antidepressants, concussions, strokes and other neurological illnesses can disrupt sleep, particularly, REM sleep.

“With Soma Sleep, we are enabling consumers to track all stages of sleep, including REM, in the comfort and privacy of their own homes through a lightweight, easy-to-use sleep mask.”

According to Mental Health UK, 1 in 5 people do not get enough sleep and 66 per cent of teens say poor sleep negatively affects their mental health. Disturbed sleep can be caused by stress, environmental factors (such as screen lights from phones or air pollution), injury, disease, medication, nicotine and alcohol. As eye movements can be disrupted by these elements, Soma Sleep’s tracking technology can help users to identify the cause of their sleep problems, understand why they are experiencing fatigue and better manage their health. For example, evidence shows that improving sleep health reduces anxiety and depression.

The mask tracks eye movements through Somalytics’ Soman Cap, which it claims is “the world’s smallest nano-based capacitive sensor”. Tiny and highly sensitive, these groundbreaking, patent-pending carbon-nanotube paper composite capacitive sensors can “feel” human presence at up to 200mm, but they use less energy and are less costly to operate than other sensor technologies. Their size ranges from 1mm-11mm in length – the width of a human hair.

The Soma Sleep mask’s battery can operate for eight hours and its low power requirement means it stays cool. The data can be integrated into fitness trackers, via an SDK, or will be available through the Soma Sleep mobile app.

Somalytics was founded in 2021 as a spinoff of Co Motion, the University of Washington’s innovation hub. In August it raised US$1.9m in seed funding to facilitate sensor production. Somalytics expects to be mass producing its sensors next year and the Soma Sleep mask should be available for consumers to buy from December 2023 at a cost of US$199.