{videobox}vJF3dzMavhU{/videobox}

Touch & Squeeze 'SkinMarks' E-Tattoos to Control Mobile Devices

The human body provides many recognizable landmarks due to the underlying skeletal structure and variations in skin texture, elasticity, and color. Researchers from Saarland University are placing new ultra-thin, electronic tattoos called 'SkinMarks' on distinctive body locations so that a user can touch, squeeze, or pull them - and intuitively control mobile devices. A conductive plastic called PEDOT:PSS enabled the ultra-thin printed tattoo to not only fit onto knuckles and wrinkles, but also be so flexible that it could withstand compression and stretching. The 'SkinMarks' tattoos are applied on the skin with water, and they come back off after a few days. In the laboratory, the scientists need only 30 to 60 minutes to print.