tech
These painted e-tattoos could be the future of wearable biosensors
Conductive ink is painted directly onto the skin in colorful custom designs, drying into working electrodes.
TL;DR
- Pennsylvania State University scientists have created a novel conductive ink that can be painted onto the skin.
- The ink dries into functional electrodes for biomonitoring, allowing for colorful custom designs.
- This new technology improves upon existing e-tattoos by offering better skin connectivity and overcoming limitations with curved/hairy surfaces.
- The painted sensors can monitor heart activity, gesture recognition, and brain activity (EEG).
- The electrodes are flexible, stretchable up to 170 percent, have high water vapor permeability, and caused no skin irritation.
- Potential future applications include disposable electrodes and plant health monitoring.