An electronic device made of nanomeshes can be worn over the skin for prolonged durations without damaging effects or interference with routine activities.
- Wearable medical devices help to measure physiological and pathological parameters on a continuous basis
- Wearing the device over a prolonged duration can damage the underlying skin
- A new sensor allows the skin to breathe, is extremely light and could be used over prolonged durations





One problem associated with electronic sensors worn on the skin is that, if they are worn continuously, they block the breathability of the skin. As a result, the skin underneath the device could get damaged.
Japanese scientists have now come up with an electronic sensor that can breathe! In other words, the device can be applied to the skin without obstructing the breathability of the skin. It can, therefore, be used for prolonged durations without damaging the skin. The device consists of an electrode constructed of nanoscale meshes. It is attached to the skin with the help of a small amount of water sprayed at the site. It is extremely thin and light, fits well on the skin and does not cause discomfort or irritation. The scientists, in fact, reported that it is so convenient that the patient often forgets about its presence.
The sensor was tested in 20 patients, who wore it for a week. The research team who carried out the test noted the following:
- The skin did not show any signs of inflammation on a skin test
- The gas permeability of the sensor was superior to that of other materials like ultrathin plastic foil and a thin rubber sheet
- The durability was 10000 times better than that of a conductor attached on the forefinger
- The readings obtained were reliable. To test this, the electrical activity of the muscles was recorded with the device and compared to the readings obtained using conventional gel electrodes
References:
- Miyamoto A et al. Inflammation-free, gas-permeable, lightweight, stretchable on-skin electronics with nanomeshes, Nature Nanotechnology (2017). DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2017.125