Electronic tattoos let doctors monitor patients remotely

Taking advantage of recent advances in flexible electronics, researchers have devised a way to "print" devices directly onto the skin so people can wear them for an extended period while performing normal daily activities. These systems can be used to track health and monitor healing near the skin’s surface, as in the case of surgical wounds. So-called "epidermal electronics" were demonstrated by John Rogers, a materials scientist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; the devices consist of ultrathin electrodes, electronics, sensors, and wireless power and communication systems.