New E-Tattoos To Replace Traditional EEG Systems

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking liquid ink that can be printed directly onto the scalp, creating electronic tattoos (e-tattoos) to measure brain activity.

This innovation, detailed in Cell Biomaterials on Monday, eliminates the discomfort and complexity of traditional electroencephalography (EEG) setups, offering new possibilities for neurological diagnostics and brain-computer interfaces.

Traditional EEG systems rely on labor-intensive electrode placement, conductive gels, and bulky cables, often leading to signal degradation and patient discomfort during extended use.

The new e-tattoo technology, designed by a team led by Nanshu Lu from the University of Texas at Austin, simplifies the process by using biocompatible ink that flows through hair to adhere directly to the scalp.

Using an inkjet printer, researchers can precisely apply the e-tattoo ink to predetermined locations on the scalp. Once dried, the ink forms thin-film sensors capable of capturing brainwaves without the need for adhesives or lengthy preparation.

This new approach addresses these challenges by utilizing advanced materials and non-contact, on-body digital printing to create e-tattoos.

This breakthrough technology provides a comfortable and efficient solution for long-term, high-quality brain activity monitoring, eliminating the drawbacks of conventional EEG systems.

“Our innovations in sensor design, biocompatible ink, and high-speed printing pave the way for future on-body manufacturing of electronic tattoo sensors, with broad applications both within and beyond clinical settings,”

said Nanshu Lu, the paper’s co-corresponding author at the University of Texas at Austin, as reported by EurekAlert.

Tests on participants demonstrated that e-tattoos performed as well as conventional electrodes, with superior durability. While gel-based electrodes dried out and failed after six hours, e-tattoos maintained stable connectivity for over 24 hours.

The ink’s adaptability also allows for the integration of signal-conducting lines, replacing standard wires in EEG setups. This adjustment significantly reduces noise interference. In future iterations, researchers aim to embed wireless transmitters directly into the e-tattoos, paving the way for a fully wireless EEG system.

E-tattoos are already used on various parts of the body to measure signals like heart activity and muscle fatigue, but applying them to hairy areas like the scalp posed a challenge until now, as noted by EurekALert.

The breakthrough ink formulation overcomes this hurdle, broadening the applications of e-tattoo technology. This innovation not only streamlines EEG tests but also opens doors for more practical and widespread use of brain-monitoring technologies in clinical and non-clinical settings.