HEMI Seminar: Nanshu Lu (UT at Austin)

Epidermal Sensor Systems for Sensing and Therapy

Epidermal sensor is a class of skin-mounted, tattoo-like circuits and sensors capable of continuous vital sign monitoring, human-machine interface, as well as transdermal therapies. Their mechanical properties such as thickness, softness, and mass density are well matched with human epidermis and are therefore able to form the most intimate contact with human skin and can provide unprecedented signal fidelity and comfort. Their demonstrated functions include long-term, continuous measurement of electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG), electromyogram (EMG), skin temperature, skin hydration, respiratory rate, blood pressure, as well as sweat (e.g. glucose and lactate). They can also be applied for therapeutics including thermal treatment and transdermal drug delivery. However, the widespread use of disposable epidermal sensors hinges on the low cost and high throughput manufacture. We therefore invented a cost and time effective, completely dry, benchtop “cut-and-paste” method for the green, freeform, and portable manufacture of multiparametric epidermal sensor systems.