Wearable computers: The next generation -8

Tattoo you: Epidermal electronics

Temporary tattoos may be all the rage, but Todd Coleman of the University of California at San Diego has created functional tattoos. Called epidermal electronics, these ultra-thin electronic patches bend and stretch with the skin while sensing a patient's skin temperature, brain waves or heartbeat patterns and transmitting the data wirelessly to a hospital computer. A grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is allowing Coleman to complete a fetal monitor patch that sits on a pregnant mother's belly and monitors the baby's heart rate, oxygen level and other vital stats.
Nokia could take this idea in another direction with its recent patent filing for an e-tattoo that would silently alert you to an incoming call or text with a vibration.

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