DuoSkin is a fabrication process that enables anyone to create customised functional devices that can be attached directly on their skin.
A new type of tattoo could become the way users interface with their devices in the future.
DuoSkin has been developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Microsoft Research, allowing users to create customised functional devices that attach directly to the skin.
Using gold metal leaf, a material that is cheap, skin-friendly and robust for everyday wear, researchers have demonstrated three types of on-skin interfaces: sensing touch input, displaying output, and wireless communication.
DuoSkin draws from the aesthetics found in metallic jewellery-like temporary tattoos to create on-skin devices which resemble jewellery.
The DuoSkin devices let users control their mobile devices, display information, and store information on their skin – and also serve as a statement of personal style, the researchers state.
One of the team’s lead researchers, Cindy Hsin-Liu Kao, says DuoSkin tattoos are pretty easy to make. Users can use any graphics software to create patterns for the circuit and adds a gold leaf layer on top for conductivity.
Temporary tattoos are also an option, and would be worn or removed like jewellery.
The DuoSkin can also be used to turn w user’s skin into a display of sorts, changing colours based on body temperature.
On-skin devices are pretty too
