South Korean scientists have developed new 'e-tattoos' that can monitor health conditions

Image shows a researcher from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology applying a tattoo using 'electonic ink'.
Image shows a researcher from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology applying a tattoo using 'electonic ink'. Copyright Reuters
By Euronews and Reuters
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button
Copy/paste the article video embed link below:Copy to clipboardCopied

Its developers say the tech is still in its early stages, but one day it can offer a non-intrusive and personalised way to monitor health conditions.

ADVERTISEMENT

Silvery butterflies or other designs drawn on the skin using this "electronic tattoo ink" made of liquid metal and carbon nanotubes can help monitor heart rates and other vital health signs, according to South Korean researchers.

The team of scientists from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) who developed the technology admit that it is still at an early stage.

But they hope that one day the technology could offer a personalised and non-intrusive way for individuals and doctors to monitor health conditions.

The ink effectively works by creating an electric circuit on the skin. It can be linked to electrocardiogram (ECG) devices to monitor heart activity, sensors that analyse sweat, as well as acting as heaters for physiotherapy purposes.

“Compared to previous devices (e-tattoos) which are patch type, we can apply it directly to the skin. it's much more comfortable to the user," said Steve Park, a materials science and engineering professor at KAIST who co-led the team with PhD candidate Lee Gun-hee.

In the future, what we hope to do is connect a wireless chip integrated with this ink, so that we can communicate, or we can send a signal back and forth between our bodies to an external device.
Steve Park
Materials science and engineering professor, KAIST

To make the ink, the researchers used liquid-metal particles based on gallium, a soft, silvery metal also used in semiconductors or in thermometers as a non-toxic alternative to mercury.

Platinum-decorated carbon nanotubes help conduct electricity while providing durability.

Park stressed that it is considered biocompatible, meaning it does not harm living tissue.

"When it is applied to the skin, even with rubbing the tattoo doesn't come off, which is not possible with just liquid metal," Park said.

The ink does come off with soap, he added, and dries on the skin in less than 10 seconds.

However, the current technology is limited by the fact that it still requires wiring to acquire data, said Park.

"In the future, what we hope to do is connect a wireless chip integrated with this ink, so that we can communicate, or we can send a signal back and forth between our bodies to an external device," he said.

The research was published in the print version of the journal 'Advanced Materials' in July.

For more on this story, watch the video in the media player above.

Video editor • Aisling Ní Chúláin

Share this articleComments

You might also like