Researchers probe skin-based smartphones

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 21 Apr 2009 at 11:07

Researchers are developing "nano skins" that could be implanted under the skin to create body-based displays.

The technology is being developed by New York's Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and weaves nanotubes and polymers to create "nano skins" - thin, conductive displays that can be slid under real skin.

Among the possible applications, researchers envision hand displays fitted with wireless receivers allowing them to display and send a variety of information including text messages from friends, health monitors during exercise and even the battery life of your gadgets.

Among the the other uses, the hand display could also display a calender, alerting you to upcoming appointments.

And on those rare occasions when your social life leaves you alone for ten minutes, it could even be used as a digital tattoo - displaying any image you chose.

The technology's still very much in the theory stage, so there's no word yet on a possible commercial release.