Research team develops tattoo-like skin thermometer patch
A team of researchers has developed a "patch" which can monitor the heat on your skin. The patch is only a few inches across, and is paper thin, making it appear as a tattoo as opposed to an electronic device. The patch is the latest of a number of patches made by the team led by John Rogers from the University of Illinois; the team has created patches that have "sensors, radio frequency capacitors, LEDs, transistors, wireless antennas, conductive coils and even solar cells for power." (Yirka). The patch is also pliable, making sure it will continue to work even if the skin it's been attached to twists or stretches.
The patch can monitor the heat at different points of the skin, and is accurate to 0.02 degrees Celsius. This gives the device the ability to monitor heat flow and the constriction and dilation of blood vessels, making the device an easy way to measure some aspects of cardiovascular health and circulation. As of now, the patch isn't ready for the public, as it still requires an external power source, but the team is working on different ways to power the patch (and they've already successfully put solar cells on previous patches they've designed.
So we have the potential to essentially "tattoo" electronics onto people (although not as permanent). What do you think this will lead to (any other future technology, new ideas, etc.) in the future? Can anyone think of any problems with this idea? I personally love the idea that we may be able to augment our bodies with electronics and machines that can improve our normal functions, but does anyone see a problem with this path? I look forward to hearing what everyone else thinks!
If anyone wants to read the published paper on this, you can find it here. Unfortunately, it looks like a pay-to-see website, but if anyone finds a way to view it for free, feel free to leave a comment with instructions!
Yirka, Bob. "Research Team Develops Tattoo-like Skin Thermometer Patch."
Research Team Develops Tattoo-like Skin Thermometer Patch.
Phys.org, 16 Sept. 2013. Web. 21 Sept. 2013.
sensors, radio frequency capacitors, LEDs, transistors, wireless antennas, conductive coils and even solar cells for power.
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-09-team-tattoo-like-skin-thermometer-patch.html#jCp
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-09-team-tattoo-like-skin-thermometer-patch.html#jCp
sensors, radio frequency capacitors, LEDs, transistors, wireless antennas, conductive coils and even solar cells for power.
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-09-team-tattoo-like-skin-thermometer-patch.html#jCp
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-09-team-tattoo-like-skin-thermometer-patch.html#jCp
sensors, radio frequency capacitors, LEDs, transistors, wireless antennas, conductive coils and even solar cells for power.
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-09-team-tattoo-like-skin-thermometer-patch.html#jCp
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-09-team-tattoo-like-skin-thermometer-patch.html#jCp
sensors, radio frequency capacitors, LEDs, transistors, wireless antennas, conductive coils and even solar cells for power.
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-09-team-tattoo-like-skin-thermometer-patch.html#jCp
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-09-team-tattoo-like-skin-thermometer-patch.html#jCp
