Sensing, medical diagnostics, and communications all fit on an ultra-thin patch that mounts directly onto skin.
Elizabeth Armstrong Moore
Elizabeth Armstrong Moore is based in Portland, Oregon, and has written for Wired, The Christian Science Monitor, and public radio. Her semi-obscure hobbies include climbing, billiards, board games that take up a lot of space, and piano.
With the mechanical properties of skin, a miniature diagnostic device unveiled today can be mounted directly to the wrist, as shown here, for EMG and other measurements.
2 of 8Photo courtesy of John A. Rogers
For EEG
The patch can be applied to the forehead for EEG and other tests as well.
3 of 8Photo courtesy of John A. Rogers
Removal
The disposable patch peels off easily.
4 of 8Photo courtesy of John A. Rogers
The device
The electronic device incorporates sensors, diagnostics, and communications into an ultra-thin and flexible patch.
5 of 8Photo courtesy of John A. Rogers
Mechanical properties
The device mimics the mechanical properties of skin.
6 of 8Photo courtesy of John A. Rogers
Squeezed
The circuitry's filaments are serpentine-shaped, allowing the device to be squeezed.
7 of 8Photo courtesy of John A. Rogers
Bent
The device can even be bent, stretched, and scrunched.
8 of 8Photo courtesy of John A. Rogers
Temporary tattoos
It can also be placed over a temporary tattoo for at least partial concealment.