Wearable Electronic Sensors Printed Directly on the Skin!

Its the age of Flexible electronics coming up! Using this, the researchers at the University of Illinois, have developed a way to “print” devices directly onto the skin to employ ‘epidermal electronics’.

These devices could be used to track health and monitor healing near the skin’s surface. People can wear them just like a tattoo and perform normal daily activities. The device can measure vital statistics and report it wirelessly to a computer. The thin device includes electrodes, sensors, power, and a wireless communications system too.

The sensors can measure the hydration, temperature of the skin, strain being applied to the area. And as a result, it can be used to measure and monitor general health and wellness!

According to MIT Technology Review, the device can be worn for up to two weeks and thereafter  it will begin to naturally fall off. And applying something like a spray-on bandage over top of the device will provide a significant of protection.

Rogers, materials scientist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign says that his lab is focused on developing and refining wireless power sources and communication systems. He also added that the technology could potentially be commercialized by MC10 (Making Stretchable Electronics company). And if things go as planned, we could expect the company in about a year and half, to develop more sophisticated systems.

Via : MIT Technlogy Review