‘Electronic’ skin to replace digital health gadgets?

Wearables have been described as the future of personal health – and yet they may already be superseded by an even more advanced technology.

Though still fairly new to the world of technology, wearables could see themselves being replaced – by ‘electronic’ skin.

The prototype, labelled Biostamp, tracks brain waves in real time and transmits them as messages by attaching flexible, miniature sensors to the temple.

Professor John Rogers, materials scientist from the University of Illinois at Urban Campaign and creator of Biostamp, told CNN: "Our prototypes can provide a variety of monitoring and stimulation functions.

"We can pick up coordinated firing of neurons, and run that activity through a computer spelling interface, so that brainwaves pick letters out of a virtual keyboard display and type messages."

Before targeting the brain, Biostamp, which was originally unveiled back in 2011, has been used all over the body.

Since its launch Biostamp has been adapted by companies - such as - Reebok and L’Oreal to monitor the impact of sports and to track skin hydration, respectively.

It has even been used by US military to monitor the condition of soldiers.

The Illinois researchers are now conducting trials on rodents of engineered stamps that can be inserted inside the body and safely dissolve after so much time.

Biotech has been developed with the hope it will help people make more responsible decisions when it comes to their health and lifestyle, rivalling wearables which already help monitor fitness and heart rate.

“The history of electronics is about getting closer to the individual,” says Rogers. “At first it was a computer down the hall, followed by a desktop, then a laptop, a phone in your pocket and a watch on your wrist.

“Now it could be electronics integrated the skin, bioelectronics, and fully implantable devices. To go fully into the realm of integrated electronics makes sense to me."

Prior to the invention of Biostamp and other sensors, researchers would rely on large amounts of electrodes to be worn by participants in the form of a helmet.

However, helmets are only able to be used in a controlled environment and worn for short periods of time. An invention like Biostamp could possibly eliminate the restrictions as it is able to be used for longer periods of time and out of the confines of the lab.

Biostamp could also potentially be modified to include features such as tracking seizures in people with epilepsy, or help track sleeping patterns so doctors can provide better medical advice.