Engineers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia have created smart skin that works without sensors and batteries - it only uses magnetic field changes to collect owner health data. The study is published in the journal Advanced Materials Technologies.

Smart skin consists of a very flexible biocompatible polymer mixed with magnetized microparticles. Using an “inexpensive and simple” process, it is made from thin sheets that are temporarily glued to the user's skin.

As soon as the layers of smart skin adhere, an external magnetic sensor monitors changes in its magnetic field. During testing, smart skin was applied to the subject's eyelid, and then monitored using a portable multi-axis magnetic sensor. As a result, the sensor was able to obtain data on whether the eyelid is closed or open.

Researchers believe that in the future, their development can be used in the brain-computer interfaces, analyze sleep patterns or monitor the driver’s driving conditions. In these cases, the magnetic sensor can be integrated into the eyeglass frame, a sleeping mask or even an electronic tattoo applied to the forehead.

Earlier, engineers from Nanjing University created an epidermal watch - a thin display that sticks to the back of a person’s hand. The numbers on it are bright enough to be visible even in sunlight, and the voltage is low enough so as not to harm the skin.

hightech.fm