Band-Aid... or computer?

Imagine a computer thinner than a piece of tape. That might seem far-fetched, but engineers from the University of Illinois have created a form of electronics that's so thin and flexible it can be worn like a Band-Aid. Once it hits the marketplace — and it's not clear yet when that might be — this innovation could be used for everything from music to medicine. "It's a technology that blurs the distinction between electronics and biology," says developer John Rogers, as quoted by BBC News. Here, a brief guide:

How does this new device work?

These "epidermal electronics" use a simple network of silicon-based computer circuitry that's manufactured in a micro-thin membrane. The circuits are then integrated onto elastic, transparent sheets the size and thickness of a postage stamp; these attach to the skin without the need for adhesive. Putting them on is as easy as applying a temporary tattoo: Just place one on your skin, rub the sheet with water, and you're done.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

What uses could this have?

The range of applications is virtually unlimited, especially for health care. Placed on the forearm or chest, they could measure heart rate and other vital statistics. Placed on the neck, they are sensitive enough to pick up throat muscle contractions, so they could help people with speech problems. They could also be used in neonatal care to monitor the health of premature or sick babies. They could even form the basis of a "smart" Band-Aid that would speed wound healing by electrical stimulation.

What about for entertainment?

It's possible that these circuits could be used to accommodate music players, wi-fi components, or even cell phones that you wear on your skin. The opportunities for gaming, too, are countless, especially since electronic patches can be programmed to respond to subtle body movements or voice commands.

Sources: BBC, Discovery, International Business Times, Science