mHealth tattoos to be mass-produced

A bio-integrated electronic tattoo that continuously monitors vital signs is to be mass produced by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin (UTA)

The bio-integrated electronic tattoo is made from filamentary micro-metal and silicon wires. It can measure vital signs, muscle movement, transmit data wirelessly and harvest solar energy.

The ultrathin, ultrasoft stamp-sized patch clings to human skin without adhesive and instead holds to the surface of the skin by electrostatic force.

The researchers have also created a "cut and paste" way to mass-produce the tattoo which cuts manufacturing time from several days to only 20 minutes.

The researchers at UTA said their method is the first dry and portable process for producing these electronics, which, unlike the current method, does not require a clean room, wafers and other expensive resources and equipment.

Instead, the technique relies on freeform manufacturing, which is similar in scope to 3-D printing but different in that material is removed instead of added.

The two-step process starts with inexpensive, pre-fabricated, industrial-quality metal deposited on polymer sheets.

An electronic mechanical cutter is used to form patterns on the metal-polymer sheets, after removing excessive areas, the electronics are printed onto any polymer adhesives, including temporary tattoo films.

UTA assistant professor and one of the minds behind the design, Nanshu Lu, said: “This technology could help electronics that interact with humans be more mechanically compatible.

"One of the most attractive aspects of epidermal electronics is their ability to be disposable. If you can make them inexpensively, say for $1, then more people will be able to use them more frequently.

“In terms of application, its uses range from personal digital health care like EKG and emotion sensors, to computer gaming. This will open the door for a number of mobile medical applications and beyond."

Lu said her team is looking to add more sensors including those that can measure blood pressure and oxygen saturation in order to track heart rate, hydration level, muscle movement, temperature and brain activity.

The research has been published in Advanced Materials.