University of Tokyo researchers have developed an ultrathin, ultraflexible, protective layer and demonstrated its use by creating an air-stable, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display. This technology will enable creation of electronic skin (e-skin) displays of blood oxygen level, e-skin heart rate sensors for athletes and many other applications.
Integrating electronic devices with the human body to enhance or restore body function for biomedical applications is the goal of researchers around the world. In particular, wearable electronics need to be thin and flexible to minimize impact where they attach to the body. However, most devices developed so far have required millimeter-scale thickness glass or plastic substrates with limited flexibility, while micrometer-scale thin flexible organic devices have not been stable enough to survive in air.
The research group of Professor Takao Someya and Dr. Tomoyuki Yokota at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Engineering has developed a high-quality protective film less than two micrometers thick that enables the production of ultrathin, ultraflexible, high performance wearable electronic displays and other devices. The group developed the protective film by alternating layers of inorganic (Silicon Oxynitrite) and organic (Parylene) material.
The protective film prevented passage of oxygen and water vapor in the air, extending device lifetimes from the few hours seen in prior research to several days. In addition, the research group were able to attach transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes to an ultrathin substrate without damaging it, making the e-skin display possible.
Using the new protective layer and ITO electrodes, the research group created polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) and organic photodetectors (OPDs). These were thin enough to be attached to the skin and flexible enough to distort and crumple in response to body movement. The PLEDs were just three micrometers thick and over six times more efficient than previously reported ultrathin PLEDs. This reduced heat generation and power consumption, making them particularly suitable for direct attachment to the body for medical applications such as displays for blood oxygen concentration or pulse rate. The research group also combined red and green PLEDs with a photodetector to demonstrate a blood oxygen sensor.
“The advent of mobile phones has changed the way we communicate. While these communication tools are getting smaller and smaller, they are still discrete devices that we have to carry with us,” says Someya. He continues, “What would the world be like if we had displays that could adhere to our bodies and even show our emotions or level of stress or unease? In addition to not having to carry a device with us at all times, they might enhance the way we interact with those around us or add a whole new dimension to how we communicate.”
Learn more: Ultrathin organic material enhances e-skin display
The Latest on: E-skin
[google_news title=”” keyword=”E-skin” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: E-skin
- Why vitamin E should be part of your skincare regimeon May 10, 2024 at 1:00 am
Vitamin E skincare is nothing new, but there’s been a recent surge in popularity thanks to the ‘glass skin’ trend.TikTok-ers are posting videos on how to get the look, by using Nivea Creme and a ...
- The 9 Best Sunscreens For Dark Skin, According To A Dermatologiston May 9, 2024 at 12:00 pm
With 12,040+ 5-star Amazon ratings, this tinted sunscreen evens out skin tone without providing too much coverage. It's made with antioxidant-rich eucalyptus and red algae, which calms skin. It comes ...
- Individuals of all ages with positive skin or blood test should receive preventive treatment for TB, new study sayson May 8, 2024 at 3:30 pm
Preventive treatment for tuberculosis (TB) can stop latent TB infections from developing into deadly TB disease. Despite TB infection being fully treatable, there is no global consensus as to which ...
- Skin and Soul Beauty offers services to pamper your mom this Mother’s Dayon May 8, 2024 at 2:30 pm
Some of Skin and Soul Beauty’s services include day spa treatments, micro-needling, and permanent makeup. People looking for a gift for Mother’s Day can give them an e-card from Skin and Soul Beauty.
- I go to the butcher for face-mask ingredients — and my skin glowson May 8, 2024 at 10:39 am
Don’t butcher your self-care routine — visit the butcher instead. A Redditor who goes by Realex3 shared her advice for a DIY face mask she says gives her Their s ...
- Stretchable E-Skin Boosts Robot Touch To Human Levelson May 7, 2024 at 11:27 pm
This represents a breakthrough in the field of robotics and could potentially transform how machines interact with their environment.
- Stretchable E-Skin Could Give Robots Human-Level Touch Sensitivityon May 7, 2024 at 1:21 am
The first-ever stretchy electronic skin could equip robots with the same softness and touch sensitivity as human skin, enabling them to perform tasks that require precision and force control.
- Stretchable electronic skin for robots developed by UT researcherson May 3, 2024 at 11:22 am
According to UT, the skin could give robots the same softness and touch sensitivity that humans have. In a press release, the university said existing e-skin technology loses sensing accuracy as the ...
- New 'e-skin' mimics human skin and could one day be used on robots, UT researchers sayon May 3, 2024 at 6:44 am
University of Texas develops 'e-skin' technology The researchers have committed to creating a stretchy skin material for robots and other devices. Current e-skin technology loses sensory ...
- Stretchable e-skin could give robots human-level touch sensitivityon May 3, 2024 at 6:11 am
The new stretchable e-skin, developed by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin, solves a major bottleneck in the emerging technology. Existing e-skin technology loses sensing accuracy ...
via Bing News