This 'temporary tattoo' could totally change health care
Temporary tattoos are pretty fun. But soon they could be life-changing.
Scientists have developed a stretchable electronic sensor that looks like a temporary tattoo--and, one day, it could be used to monitor vital signs.
Right now, patients with chronic conditions have to suffer with stiff plastic sensors that don't breathe very well.
These new hypoallergenic sensors, developed by scientists at the University of Tokyo, are made out of a nanoscale mesh so lightweight and thin that people forgot they were wearing them. After a week of testing, the sensors didn't irritate the skin or break, and they successfully recorded the electrical activity of muscles with "minimal discomfort" to the user.
The electric skin was able to detect touch, temperature, and pressure, according to the study, published Monday in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
This could be a game-changer--not only for monitoring vitals, but also for improving prosthetic limbs. Looks like we're one step closer to becoming living, breathing pieces of technology ourselves.
Topics Health Innovations
Molly is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While there, she studied life sciences communication and conservation biology. Molly has worked in multiple communications positions at UW and recently acted as a science intern at Business Insider in NYC. She is a lover of all things science and tech related, and is always ready to take on a new challenge. When Molly isn't writing, she fills her time training for IRONMAN events, acting as the unofficial #1 Wisconsin athletics fan, and trying as many new foods as her budget will allow.
