Computers Embedded in Our Skin Like a Tattoo

Feuer Frei! · 08-12-11, 08:56 AM

A small electronic device slapped onto the skin like a temporary tattoo could bring us closer to a future that melds body and machine, a cyborg world where people have cell phones embedded in their throats and Internet browsers literally at their fingertips. Described in the Aug. 12 Science, the gizmos were developed by researchers looking to create less obtrusive medical monitors for premature babies and other special-needs patients. But the technologys potential for integrating computers into the human body could be vast.
This is a huge breakthrough, says nanoengineer Michael McAlpine of Princeton University. This goes beyond Dick Tracy calling someone with a cell phone on the wrist. Its having the wrist itself house the device so its always with you.
Though traditional electronic devices are becoming smaller and more powerful, they are still clunky external objects that must be held in the hand or touched. The new stretchy, wireless electronics promise to seamlessly integrate the body with the surrounding electronic world.
The challenge, says study coauthor John Rogers of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, was matching typically rigid electrical components to the soft, stretchy and flexible skin. Rogers and his colleagues achieved this by converting brittle silicon to a more forgiving state by making it very thin.

he electronic components which can include light-emitting diodes, solar cells, transistors and antennae, among other things were all constructed in a malleable net of wavy S-shapes similar to old-fashioned coiled telephone cords, which allows the circuits to work when stretched in any direction. The researchers sandwiched these components between two protective layers of polyimide, a type of polymer. These layers sit on top of a rubbery silicone film that adheres to skin with weak chemical bonds. The device can also be applied in a temporary tattoo, which both disguises the grid and makes it stick longer.
Rogers is focused on medical applications for the electronic skin. But the basic building blocks of the system can be configured in many ways for widely different uses, he says.
I think creative folks out there will think of things we havent even contemplated, Rogers says.

The superthin electronic skin wrinkles, puckers and stretches just like the bodys skin, making it less intrusive than the bulky wires and cumbersome electrodes typically used to monitor vital signs.
You can put these on someones skin and they can wrinkle their forehead. They could frown, says neurologist and bioengineer Brian Litt of the University of Pennsylvania. The materials science is just wonderful.
The adhesive electronics pick up signals from peoples heartbeats when stuck on the chest, skeletal muscle activity when stuck on the leg, and brain waves when stuck on the forehead, the researchers report. In the study, signals from the body traveled from the device along a thin wire to a computer.

SOURCE

STEED · 08-12-11, 10:11 AM

More like Human slavery turning us in to cattle, no thank you.

joea · 08-12-11, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEED

More like Human slavery turning us in to cattle, no thank you.

Exactly!

Growler · 08-12-11, 10:18 AM

Thunk of the possibilities, though! A 3D video site for adult movies, right there on your... A whole new world of "skin flicks" awaits!

MH · 08-12-11, 10:23 AM

No sexy ipad....nah...

Growler · 08-12-11, 10:25 AM

Or a 3d site like that on HER forehead.

Castout · 08-12-11, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEED

More like Human slavery turning us in to cattle, no thank you.

Yeah no way. No thank you. I like my body without any gadget in it.

Anthony W. · 08-12-11, 05:36 PM

I'm perfectly fine with having things in my hand. Gah I can only imagine being RFID'd like a dog microchip.

No thank you for this...

Tho I do think the micro medical monitors for premies and special needs patients is a great idea.

Armistead · 08-12-11, 05:56 PM

I think it's coming in the future and will replace money, in some places people already do it.

08-12-11, 08:56 AM	#1
Feuer Frei! Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Valhalla Posts: 5,295 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 17	Computers Embedded in Our Skin Like a Tattoo A small electronic device slapped onto the skin like a temporary tattoo could bring us closer to a future that melds body and machine, a cyborg world where people have cell phones embedded in their throats and Internet browsers literally at their fingertips. Described in the Aug. 12 Science, the gizmos were developed by researchers looking to create less obtrusive medical monitors for premature babies and other special-needs patients. But the technologys potential for integrating computers into the human body could be vast. This is a huge breakthrough, says nanoengineer Michael McAlpine of Princeton University. This goes beyond Dick Tracy calling someone with a cell phone on the wrist. Its having the wrist itself house the device so its always with you. Though traditional electronic devices are becoming smaller and more powerful, they are still clunky external objects that must be held in the hand or touched. The new stretchy, wireless electronics promise to seamlessly integrate the body with the surrounding electronic world. The challenge, says study coauthor John Rogers of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, was matching typically rigid electrical components to the soft, stretchy and flexible skin. Rogers and his colleagues achieved this by converting brittle silicon to a more forgiving state by making it very thin. he electronic components which can include light-emitting diodes, solar cells, transistors and antennae, among other things were all constructed in a malleable net of wavy S-shapes similar to old-fashioned coiled telephone cords, which allows the circuits to work when stretched in any direction. The researchers sandwiched these components between two protective layers of polyimide, a type of polymer. These layers sit on top of a rubbery silicone film that adheres to skin with weak chemical bonds. The device can also be applied in a temporary tattoo, which both disguises the grid and makes it stick longer. Rogers is focused on medical applications for the electronic skin. But the basic building blocks of the system can be configured in many ways for widely different uses, he says. I think creative folks out there will think of things we havent even contemplated, Rogers says. The superthin electronic skin wrinkles, puckers and stretches just like the bodys skin, making it less intrusive than the bulky wires and cumbersome electrodes typically used to monitor vital signs. You can put these on someones skin and they can wrinkle their forehead. They could frown, says neurologist and bioengineer Brian Litt of the University of Pennsylvania. The materials science is just wonderful. The adhesive electronics pick up signals from peoples heartbeats when stuck on the chest, skeletal muscle activity when stuck on the leg, and brain waves when stuck on the forehead, the researchers report. In the study, signals from the body traveled from the device along a thin wire to a computer. SOURCE __________________ "History is the lies that the victors agree on"- Napoleon LINK TO MY SH 3 MODS

08-12-11, 10:11 AM	#2
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	More like Human slavery turning us in to cattle, no thank you. __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!

08-12-11, 10:18 AM	#4
Growler A long way from the sea Join Date: May 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,913 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	Thunk of the possibilities, though! A 3D video site for adult movies, right there on your... A whole new world of "skin flicks" awaits! __________________ At Fiddler’s Green, where seamen true When here they’ve done their duty The bowl of grog shall still renew And pledge to love and beauty.

08-12-11, 10:25 AM	#6
Growler A long way from the sea Join Date: May 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,913 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	Or a 3d site like that on HER forehead. __________________ At Fiddler’s Green, where seamen true When here they’ve done their duty The bowl of grog shall still renew And pledge to love and beauty.

08-12-11, 05:36 PM	#8
Anthony W. Grey Wolf Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 850 Downloads: 130 Uploads: 0	I'm perfectly fine with having things in my hand. Gah I can only imagine being RFID'd like a dog microchip. No thank you for this... Tho I do think the micro medical monitors for premies and special needs patients is a great idea. __________________ Sunken Mustangs Proud Ford Mustang owner "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" - Admiral David Farragut Run silent - run deep - keep the baffles clear - targets front and center. Private pilot and history buff

08-12-11, 10:23 AM	#5
MH Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3,184 Downloads: 248 Uploads: 0	No sexy ipad....nah...

08-12-11, 05:56 PM	#9
Armistead Rear Admiral Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: on the Dan Posts: 10,880 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	I think it's coming in the future and will replace money, in some places people already do it.