It sounds comical. An eye patch or sunglasses to read body temperature.

But new technology developed by a Yale University researcher aims to do just that, providing athletes with a constant reading of body temperature to prevent heat stroke and dehydration.

The wireless technology, unveiled in Singapore on Tuesday, triggers an alarm when body temperature reaches a pre-set level - sending a reminder to sweaty athletes to guzzle water when their body gets too warm.

Officials from Giant Wireless Technology Ltd said the Hong Kong-based company expected to launch commercial applications for the technology, known as "TempAlert," early next year.

This could take the form of an eyepatch or conventional sunglasses, they told a briefing in Singapore.

Dr Marc Abreu of the Yale School of Medicine, who developed the technology, said it could also be used by couples to monitor the female body for tracking fertility.

"You'll be able to track temperature changes continuously so you'll know precisely when you're ovulating," Abreu said.

He said his research found that a small area of skin near the eyes and the nose was connected to a "thermal storage centre" in the brain, and this area has the thinnest skin and the highest amount of light energy.

The patches and eyeglasses are designed to continuously measure brain temperature at this entry point.

Giant Wireless Technology said "TempAlert" could also be used to detect diseases such as the flu-like SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) that spread early this year to about 30 countries through travelers, killing hundreds of people worldwide.

(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2003)