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Flexible, Stretchable, Implantable LED Arrays Created

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the look-at-my-belly-screen dept.

Zothecula writes "Researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have created bio-compatible LED arrays that can bend, stretch, and even be implanted under the skin. While this might cause some people to immediately think, 'glowing tattoos,' the arrays are actually intended for activating drugs, monitoring medical conditions, or performing other biomedical tasks within the body. Down the road, however, they could also be incorporated into consumer goods, robotics, or military/industrial applications."

6 of 147 comments (clear)

  1. Robotics and medical uses are good, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Glowing tattoos would be a best-seller, even at high prices, just because it's unique and eye-catching.

    1. Re:Robotics and medical uses are good, but... by Toze · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Potential users of implantable LCD for medical purposes: small number.
      Potential users of implantable LCD for fashion or entertainment purposes: large number.

      Like robotic prostheses, the groundbreaking work will be done for medical reasons, where money is no object. However, the technology will see many more improvements in cost, efficiency, and useability once it becomes useful to a larger group.

      --
      No OS on the planet can protect itself from a user with the admin password. - Yvan256
    2. Re:Robotics and medical uses are good, but... by Gilmoure · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Setting up a bunch of folks with glowing tattoos and tapping in to their display control network so you can use them for a giant living game of Tetris?

      --
      I drank what? -- Socrates
  2. Re:Or by DoofusOfDeath · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Or...

    Under-the-skin indicator for blood sugar levels in diabetics.

  3. Re:hm. by Locke2005 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Or...

    ^ My eyes are up THERE!

    --
    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  4. By Neruos by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    So...

    If I'm diabetic and my insulin levels are low, I no longer need to prick my finger or draw blood. I can look at my insulin 'health led bar' and when it drops or changes color, I can take my shot. Would be awesome?

    Same for any other illness that requires some sort of monitoring.