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Nano-Tattoos Don't Need Batteries or Wires


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The ink used for the nanotattoos is actually two inks in onea bottom layer containing graphene [black] and a top layer with embedded nanowires [white].

The nano-tattoos can passively send data using a technique similar to that of RFID tags.

Credit: Istanbul Technical University/IEEE

Backscattering-based nano-tattoo sensor (BNTS) tattoos created by scientists at Turkey's Yeditepe University and Istanbul Technical University can communicate with nearby devices without needing batteries or wires.

The researchers fabricated the tattoos from a nanowire-containing zinc oxide ink laid over a graphene aerogel conductive ink, which are applied to the skin simultaneously through separate needles.

Deformations to the BNTS tattoos generate piezoelectric signals to enable wireless communication.

The researchers explained, "When the painted tag receives the radio frequency (RF) signals, it reflects some of the signals to establish an up-link with the smartphone reader while the smartphone establishes a down-link with the tag. From these communication links, the smartphone can continuously monitor the BNTS and process the information using artificial intelligence algorithms."

From IEEE Spectrum
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Abstracts Copyright © 2023 SmithBucklin, Washington, DC, USA


 

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