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Skin-Based Display Screens From Nanotech Tattoos

Posted by timothy on from the your-epidermis-is-showing-a-movie dept.

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.

7 of 200 comments (clear)

  1. Camouflage by sakdoctor · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Implant this under all exposed skin and a solider could have camouflage patterns turned on/off and changed for the terrain.

  2. Should we... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Without reading the article, should we assume this kind of technology can be used to help college student cheat on tests?

  3. OCtattoos ! by Macka · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This reminds my of the futuristic OCtattoos (Organic Circuitry tattoos) that Peter Hamilton makes use of in his Commonwealth Saga stories.

    They're described in the Wiki as:

    OCTattoos (Organic Circuitry Tattoos) are also a major technological device. These are tattooed on the skin and resemble colourful, often metallic tattoos, and serve hundreds of purposes from transferring credits to serving as sensors. Their main function is to act as processors for other implants (which may function at reduced capacity if an OCTattoo is damaged).

    Would be really neat to have this in our lifetime.

    1. Re:OCtattoos ! by newcastlejon · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Just give me a shout when I can have a watch like Wu's.

      --
      If God forks the Universe every time you roll a die, he'd better have a damned good memory.
  4. So how do I sign up? by guyminuslife · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I can be a very willing guinea pig, lab rat, et cetera. Just tell me where to sign!

    Yes, the prospect of long-term, irreparable skin damage is nothing next to the coolness of having the dermatological equivalent of animated GIFs. And I mean that sincerely.

    --
    I don't believe in time. It's a grand conspiracy designed to sell watches.
  5. Re:Immunse systems do not like foreign objects. by samurphy21 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    There are many biologically neutral materials that are safely implanted into the body all the time. Titanium pins for repairing bones. Pacemakers. Composite plates for skull injuries. These are just medical examples. You get into the "body modification" crowd and you start seeing stainless steel, neobium, and nylon implants and piercings.

    I suspect that rejection or attack by white blood cells are not an insurmountable issue here, but I'm not a doctor.

  6. Police Documentation by KneelBeforeZod · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Hypothetically, if this were to become common. It'd force police to rethink how they document and identify distinguishing marks on the body. Or a gang member being some kind of double agent and switching inks from one gang to another. Its the stuff of scifi. Makes me think of The Illustrated Man of Ray Bradbury.