Scientists create 'E-skin' that will 'turn humans into walking smartphones'
help to monitor your health and heart rate
The protective layer of synthetic skin is placed over the skin on the human body and can be used to detect potential health issues.
Scientists in Japan have created an amazing 'electronic skin' which is set to turn humans into walking smartphones .
The incredible invention will track heart rate and a person's general health - and could leave current exercise and fitness apps irrelevant.
Researchers in Japan who have developed the 'smart skin' say it could be used in the future to monitor blood oxygen levels, heart rate and the body's overall performance.
Scientists from the University of Tokyo have described the e-skin as a "ultra-thin, ultra-flexible, protective layers."
And the premise is simple.
You place the thin film of electronic skin over your own body and it keeps an eye on your heart rate, as well as your general health.
Researchers have used polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) and organic photodetectors (OPDs) which are thin enough to be attached to the skin and flexible to detect and respond to any body movement.
The skin is made out of light materials which respond to body movement
And to protect all this vital electronic equipment is a "high quality protective film" - less than two micrometres thick and made by alternating layers of inorganic (silicon oxynitrate) and organic (parylene) material.
At the moment, the e-skin doesn't have a very long life-span and last just a few hours but this is something scientists are already hoping they have improved.
Some e-skin can now survive for up to several days.
Team leader Professor Takao Someya said the new technology will "enable creation of electronic skin displays of blood oxygen leve, e-skin heart rate sensors for athletes, and many other applications.
"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."
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