Graphene-based e-tattoo takes strain to indicate pain

The human palm tends to sweat when people are excited or nervous and this reaction is used to measure emotional stress and help people with mental health issues. Current solutions, however, are bulky and unreliable.

Now, researchers at The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University have applied emerging electronic tattoo (e-tattoo) technology to electrodermal (EDA) activity. In a paper published in Nature Communications, the researchers created a graphene-based e-tattoo that attaches to the palm, is nearly invisible and connects to a smart watch.

"It's so unobstructive that people sometimes forget they had them on, and it also reduces the social stigma of wearing these devices in such prominent places on the body," said Nanshu Lu, professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics and leader of the project.

Lu and her collaborators have been advancing wearable e-tattoo technology for many years. Graphene has been a favoured material because of how thin it is and how well it measures electrical potential from human body, leading to very accurate readings.