Research on electronic skin capable of displaying health information
Electronic skin can not only display information about health problems but can also send information to others.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed an electronic skin (e-skin) that can measure vital signs like heart rate and display them in real time on the skin. The design combines a nanomesh electrode that measures breathing rate and an array of tiny stretchable LEDs that can output images that essentially bend with your body.
Could electronic skin hit the market in 2021?
Not only that, others can know right away if you need help. They can just look at your hand or anywhere else in the sensor to see what's going on. The sensor can pair with a smartphone and transmit its information to the cloud.
Stretchable displays have existed before, but they tend to disintegrate quickly after exposure to air and are often stretched and twisted against the skin. The sensor can stretch itself for about a week without causing inflammation and was developed using conventional circuit board manufacturing techniques to keep costs down.
This is not theoretical content. Dai Nippon Printing hopes to deliver this electronic skin within the next 3 years by making it more stable, expanding its large-scale production capabilities, and providing it to a wide market area.
It all works well, which could be especially useful for patients who want to be cared for at home. Instead of having to carry around a bulky device to check their health, they can broadcast their health status to family members and continue working without being interrupted.
