Ultrathin E-skin Records Real-Time Health Data and Provides Digital Display

Posted on April 18, 2016

A new ultra-thin e-skin developed by University of Tokyo researchers could provide a digital display on your skin. It could also act as a real-time sensor for health data and return information like blood oxygen level and pulse.

The image above shows the e-skin displaying the blood oxygen level in a red seven-segment PLED display. An ultraflexible organic photodetector measures pulse and blood oxygen using reflected light.

The research group of Professor Takao Someya and Dr. Tomoyuki Yokota developed the high-quality protective film that is less than two micrometers. It was made by alternating layers of inorganic (Silicon Oxynitrite) and organic (Parylene) material. The PLEDs used are just three micrometers thick and over six times more efficient than previously reported ultrathin PLEDs.

Someya says in a statement, "The advent of mobile phones has changed the way we communicate. While these communication tools are getting smaller and smaller, they are still discrete devices that we have to carry with us. What would the world be like if we had displays that could adhere to our bodies and even show our emotions or level of stress or unease? In addition to not having to carry a device with us at all times, they might enhance the way we interact with those around us or add a whole new dimension to how we communicate."

Take a look:

A research paper on the study was published here in the journal, Science Advances.

HEALTH