Technology Review (Cambridge, Mass., April 1) -- Offering a preview of what future wearable medical devices may look like, researchers in Korea have built a skin patch that’s thinner than a sheet of paper and can detect subtle tremors, release drugs stored inside nanoparticles on-demand, and record all of this activity for review later. The work builds on the fundamental research of John Rogers, a materials science and engineering professor at Illinois. Three years ago, he introduced the idea of “epidermal electronics,” or ultrathin, skin-like semiconductor materials that could monitor vital signs on the skin.
Related story: BioNews Texas (Dallas, April 1) -- In a presentation made at the 243rd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society in San Diego on March 26, U. of I. materials science and engineering professor John Rogers explained how “electronic skin” patches similar to the temporary tattoos children stick on their arms for fun may one day monitor and wirelessly diagnose health problems or deliver medication.