So they’re not exactly cute, but if you came of age during the 90s, chances are you have at least regrettable tattoo anyway. (Raise your hand if that same tattoo is in the shape of a butterfly!) But the latest temporary smart tattoos do much more than serve as a symbol of misspent youth; they can read a body’s internal processes and alert the user of potential dangers like a dip in blood sugar or a drop in kidney function− all without having to draw any blood.
A recent collaboration between researchers at the University of California San Diego and the University of Toronto created a lightweight and stick-on “smart tattoo.” Embedded in its fibers are a set of “ion-selective electrodes” which is a cooler way of saying “sensors that detect the pH or salt levels of the skin, as well minerals like potassium, and even blood oxidation."
