American researchers have developed a temporary tattoo using light-emitting technology commonly found in television screens and smartphones. Scientists say this technology paves the way for a new type of smart tattoo with a variety of potential applications.
This technique employs organic light-emitting diodes, widely known as OLEDs. Notably, OLEDs are manufactured on temporary tattoo paper and can be transferred to another surface by pressing and then dipping it in water. Researchers are developing the world's first light-emitting tattoo; they state that their new smart tattoo can be integrated with other tattoo electronics to perform additional functions, such as alerting athletes when they are dehydrated or when wearers need to seek shade to avoid sunburn.
OLEDs could also be tattooed onto packaging or fruit to indicate when the product has expired. The team notes that there is potential for using this technology in fashion to create glowing tattoos. They mentioned that their achievement has demonstrated for the first time that OLEDs can be manufactured for tattoos on a large scale and at a low cost.
Moreover, the tattoos may have other applications in healthcare, such as glowing if there is a change in a patient's condition. The team believes that this technology can also be integrated with light-sensitive treatments to target cancer cells, as their research on the concepts surrounding this technology represents the first step toward discovering other future applications.
