Drawn-on-skin electronics gather data in motion

This the claim of researchers in the US whose multifunctional sensors and circuits can be drawn on the skin with an ink pen.

Novel printed electronics promise personalised bandages

The team, led by Cunjiang Yu, Bill D. Cook Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Houston, report their findings in Nature Communications.

The drawn-on-skin electronics are comprised of three inks - including conductors, semiconductors, and dielectrics - that are drawn on-demand to develop devices such as transistors, strain sensors, temperature sensors, heaters, skin hydration sensors, and electrophysiological sensors.

According to the University of Houston, the drawn-on-skin electronics seamlessly collect data, regardless of the wearer's movements. They also offer other advantages, including simple fabrication techniques that do not require dedicated equipment.

"It is applied like you would use a pen to write on a piece of paper," Yu said in a statement. "We prepare several electronic materials and then use pens to dispense them. Coming out, it is liquid. But like ink on paper, it dries very quickly."