Made the first transferable tattoo that lights up with the same OLED technology as TV and smartphone screens: integrated with other sensors, it can be applied to the skin to monitor the state of hydration or exposure to the sun, on foods it can indicate when they are expired , while on clothes and nails it can become a fashion accessory.
The device, developed by the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) with the University College of London, is published in the Advanced Electronic Materials magazine.
The tattoo based on Oled technology (organic light-emitting diodes) transfers under pressure if moistened with water: it is only 2.3 thousandths of a millimeter thick and is composed of an electroluminescent polymer (which emits light when a field is applied electric) interposed between the electrodes, which in turn are separated by an insulating layer from the tattoo film.
Once ready, the tattoo was applied to a glass plate, a plastic bottle, an orange and a paper package.
“Our study is a proof of principle, a first step,” explains Franco Ciancalli of University College London.
"Future challenges include the encapsulation of OLEDs, to stop their degradation as far as possible in contact with air, and integration with a battery or supercapacitor."
“Electronic tattoos represent an expanding field of research”, adds Virgilio Mattoli of the IIT.
“At the Italian Institute of Technology we have already developed electrodes that can be applied to the skin to perform diagnostic tests such as the electrocardiogram.
The advantage of this technology is that it is low cost, easy to apply and use, and is easily removed with soap and water ”.