Penn State engineers have developed an innovative paint-on electronic tattoo made from conductive ink that can monitor electrical activity such as ECG (electrocardiogram), EMG (electromyogram), and EEG (electroencephalogram) signals. The ink is applied directly to the skin, drying into a functional electrode that can be customized with food dye to create colorful designs, making the sensor appear more like face paint than a typical medical patch.

In one experiment, a co-author wore the painted electrodes during normal daily activities for 12 hours, demonstrating its potential for continuous monitoring. Penn State has filed a provisional patent for this technology but has not announced a consumer version or release date.

This development could offer a novel way to track heart activity and potentially spot heart attacks, though its commercial availability remains uncertain.

Sources

Note: Penn State has not announced a consumer version or release date for the technology.