Scitke

Tag: Electronic

  • Electronic Tattoos can Warn of Excessive Workload

    Electronic Tattoos can Warn of Excessive Workload

    A wireless electronic tattoo created by U.S. researchers may help tackle overwork and reduce illnesses linked to intense mental strain.
    Image Credits:E-Tattoo: dispositivo é capaz de detectar sinais de esforço cognitivo em tempo real (Dispositivo/Huh et al/Divulgação)

    A wireless electronic tattoo created by U.S. researchers may help tackle overwork and reduce illnesses linked to intense mental strain.

    The research describing the device was published this Thursday, the 29th, in the journal Device. It explains how the technology—known as an e-tattoo—operates, including its ability to record brainwave activity without the need for traditional equipment.

    “Technology is advancing faster than human evolution,” said Professor Nanshu Lu, who led the study at the University of Texas at Austin. “As demands increase, so does mental workload…”

    Early Tests Show Brainwave Changes Under Increasing Mental Demand

    During early experiments, six volunteers wore the electronic tattoo while completing memory tasks of different difficulty levels. As the tasks became more demanding, changes in their brainwave signals were observed.

    Using this data, the researchers trained a computational model that can anticipate levels of mental effort. The e-tattoo was also able to differentiate between varying degrees of cognitive strain.

    At present, workload is commonly measured using tools such as NASA’s Task Load Index, which relies on self-reported questionnaires. The e-tattoo is proposed as an alternative approach.

    Its sensors are ultra-thin, adhesive, and flexible, allowing them to conform comfortably to the skin. The system uses a lightweight battery and components designed for user comfort, and the tattoos are customized to ensure precise measurements.

    Lower-Cost Alternative to Traditional Monitoring Equipment

    This solution also offers major cost advantages: disposable sensors cost about US$20, while the chip and battery are around US$200—far less than the equipment that can exceed US$15,000.

    According to study co-author Luis Sentis, the aim is to make the e-tattoo affordable and suitable for home use. “One of my goals is to turn the e-tattoo into something people can use at home,” he said.

    The research team is already advancing to the next phase, developing ink-based sensors that can function on hair, with the intention of extending the technology’s application to a wider range of surfaces.

    Read the original article on: Exame

    Read more: Scientists Create Wearables that Fool the Brain into Feeling Real Sensations

  • Single-Material Electronic Skin gives Robots Near-Human Feel

    Single-Material Electronic Skin gives Robots Near-Human Feel

    Image Credits: Inovacaotecnologica

    Replicating the touch and sensitivity of human skin—known as robotic touch—might not require advances in flexible electronics or the integration of thousands of miniature sensors.

    Researchers have developed a new type of robotic skin that is low-cost, durable, and highly sensitive. This innovative skin delivers exceptional precision and fits onto robotic hands like a glove.

    Moldable Conductive Polymer Offers Versatile Foundation for Robotic Skin

    David Hardman and his team at the University of Cambridge and University College London created a conductive polymer they can melt and mold into complex shapes.

    Although it doesn’t match the sensitivity of human skin, the material can process signals from over 860,000 microscopic channels, enabling it to detect various types of touch and pressure—such as a finger’s contact, temperature differences, cuts or punctures, and multiple simultaneous touches.

    Remarkably, all of this is achieved using a single material, greatly simplifying the design. By reading physical inputs, this tech helps robots interact more like humans.

    Most current robotic touch technologies rely on small, localized sensors and require separate components to detect different kinds of touch. In contrast, the newly developed electronic skin functions as a single, unified sensor—closer in function to human skin.
    Image Credits: University of Cambridge

    Most current robotic touch technologies rely on small, localized sensors and require separate components to detect different kinds of touch. In contrast, the newly developed electronic skin functions as a single, unified sensor—closer in function to human skin.

    One Material, Many Sensations

    “Using different sensors for each type of touch makes the manufacturing process more complex,” explained David Hardman. “Our goal was to create a single material that could detect multiple types of touch at once.”

    The researchers achieved this using a sensor material capable of multimodal sensing—responding differently to various forms of touch. Though pinpointing each signal is tricky, the materials are easier to make and more durable.overall.

    To interpret the signals, the team experimented with different electrode layouts to identify which configuration yielded the most detailed data. With only 32 wrist electrodes, they collected over 1.7 million data points from the hand via the material’s fine conductive network.

    From Gentle Contact to Physical Damage

    They tested the prototype with a variety of stimuli, including light touch, multiple simultaneous touches, heat exposure from a heat gun, and physical damage from a scalpel. Data collected from these tests was then used to train a machine learning model that can accurately interpret future touch inputs.

    Robotic skin hasn’t yet matched human capabilities, said Professor Thomas Thuruthel, but this is the most advanced and easiest to produce so far—and it works well across real-world tasks.

    Read the original article on: Inovacaotecnologica

    Read more:Your Dog Seems To Sense What’s On Your Mind

  • These Temporary Electronic Tattoos Can Monitor Brain Activity

    These Temporary Electronic Tattoos Can Monitor Brain Activity

    (Nanshu Lu)

    Traditional non-invasive brain imaging methods involve electrodes, sticky gels, and wires, which can be uncomfortable, unsightly, and time-consuming. However, scientists have recently developed a promising alternative in the form of temporary electronic tattoos.

    E-Tattoos: A More Comfortable and Accurate Alternative

    These e-tattoos use liquid ink applied to the scalp. In a recent study, they proved to be just as accurate as conventional electroencephalography (EEG) techniques, while offering easier setup. They also have the advantage of working through short hair.

    The team from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) believes their innovation could improve patient monitoring and disease diagnosis. “Our innovations in sensor design, biocompatible ink, and high-speed printing pave the way for future on-body manufacturing of electronic tattoo sensors, with applications in clinical and non-clinical settings,” says electrical engineer Nanshu Lu from the University of Texas.

    The new approach is quicker and more convenient than a traditional EEG. (de Vasconcelos, Cell Biomaterials, 2024)

    The researchers assert that their method is more comfortable for the subject, provides longer-lasting results without signal degradation, and offers greater accuracy. The e-tattoos are made from conductive polymers and are directly applied to the head using a custom inkjet printer.

    Measuring Brain Activity with E-Tattoos

    Originally used to monitor muscle fatigue and heart rate, these tattoos have now been shown to also measure brain activity, with specialized algorithms determining the optimal placement on the scalp.

    Further improvements have been made by replacing part of the wiring in a typical EEG with the printed e-ink. The team used shorter conventional wires to transmit data back to a recording device, ensuring no interference from additional signals.

    “This adjustment allowed the printed wires to transmit signals without introducing noise,” explains materials scientist Ximin He from UCLA.

    Although they have made progress, the researchers aim to embed wireless transmission capabilities into the e-tattoos and adapt their technology to accommodate a wider variety of hair types and styles.

    E-Tattoos: The Future of Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs)

    Eventually, these e-tattoos could form the foundation of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), which not only read brain activity but potentially interpret it to trigger actions. Current BCI setups are bulky and challenging to use. Replacing them with e-tattoos could make this technology more accessible to a broader population.

    “Our study could potentially transform the design of non-invasive brain-computer interface devices,” says neuroengineer José Millán from the University of Texas at Austin.

    Read the original article on: Science Alert

    Read more: Having Tattoos Elevates your Cancer Risk by 21%