epidermal electronicsepidermis-matched mechanical propertiesskin-mounted sensorsultrathin conformal electronic systemswearable electrophysiology
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Abstract (AI)
We report classes of electronic systems that achieve thicknesses, effective elastic moduli, bending stiffnesses, and areal mass densities matched to the epidermis. Unlike traditional wafer-based technologies, laminating such devices onto the skin leads to conformal contact and adequate adhesion based on van der Waals interactions alone, in a manner that is mechanically invisible to the user. We describe systems incorporating electrophysiological, temperature, and strain sensors, as well as transistors, light-emitting diodes, photodetectors, radio frequency inductors, capacitors, oscillators, and rectifying diodes. Solar cells and wireless coils provide options for power supply. We used this type of technology to measure electrical activity produced by the heart, brain, and skeletal muscles and show that the resulting data contain sufficient information for an unusual type of computer game controller.
Key Findings
1
Developed electronic systems with thickness, effective elastic modulus, bending stiffness, and areal mass density matched to the epidermis
2
Epidermal electronics measured physiological signals (heart, brain, skeletal muscles) with sufficient fidelity to operate as a computer game controller
3
Included power options such as solar cells and wireless coils to supply the epidermal devices
4
Integrated multifunctional components (sensors, transistors, LEDs, photodetectors, RF inductors, capacitors, oscillators, rectifying diodes) into epidermal electronics
5
Laminated devices conformally adhere to skin using van der Waals interactions alone, producing mechanically invisible attachment to the user
Research Object
Epidermal electronic systems (ultrathin, skin-mounted electronic devices laminated onto the epidermis)
Research Subject
Mechanical and functional integration of ultrathin electronics with skin — achieving epidermis-matched thickness, modulus, bending stiffness, areal density, conformal van der Waals adhesion, and enabling sensors/active components for physiological monitoring and interaction
Publication Details
Publication Date
2011-08-11
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