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Skin-Based Display Screens From Nanotech Tattoos

destinyland writes "Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York is developing flexible nanotubes inserted under the skin to create a handheld display — inside your hand. They wirelessly receive data and display reminders and text messages, and the concept has also been broadened to suggest endlessly programmable digital tattoos, while Netherlands-based Royal Philips Electronics is also exploring the concept of the body as 'a platform for electronics and interactive skin technologies'." That middle link is quite old, but is still loaded with interesting links.

6 of 200 comments (clear)

  1. Ohhh... can you imagine the hack possibilities by Opportunist · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If you thought fun with programmable road signs was something, wait 'til tatoo hacks become the new fad!

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    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  2. Re:Camouflage by blargfellow · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Or the enemy sends you a virus, and you end up with a bullseye on your forehead.

  3. Good luck at the airport by KlaymenDK · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Good luck with that the next time you're at the security check at the airport. Pacemakers they know about, but with people getting withheld due to t-shirts with *images* of electronics, this thing is just asking for trouble.

  4. I'll wait... by Capt+James+McCarthy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It all sounds cool...for a movie or a fad. The next thing you know you have to keep your virus defs up to date or your tatoo will be throwing up all kinds of unwanted pop-ups. If it can be 'reprogrammed,' that is just a freq that manipulates the nano devices, then it can be maliciously altered as well. I still don't understand the fascination with putting electronics in the body (medical reasons notwithstanding). And there is already an issue with people being tracked and watched. They tie the screen to your vitals and it will glow green if you are telling the truth or red if you are lying. It will tell folks your current medical status. _IF_ that is what you want.

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    There are no loopholes. It's either legal or it's not.
  5. Re:Camouflage by bentcd · · Score: 4, Insightful

    What's the point in that? He'd either have to carry both desert and urban camo (for middle-east incursions at least), and swap half way through, or they'd have to be butt-naked all the time.

    If they can put this in skin they can probably put it in clothes too.

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    sigs are hazardous to your health
  6. Re:Camouflage by Tom · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Because in war it's such a bright idea to have much skin exposed?

    Sorry, some camouflage make-up applied to the parts of the face you can't hide seems like a lot simpler, cheaper, more reliable and simply superior in all other aspects.

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    Assorted stuff I do sometimes: Lemuria.org