Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin and the University of California, Los Angeles, have developed a new conductive ink for electronic tattoos that can be printed directly on the scalp to measure brainwaves. This advancement aims to address the challenge of applying electronic tattoos to hairy skin without losing performance.
These e-tattoos act as sensors for electroencephalography (EEG), a test that measures electrical activity in the brain. EEG is used to diagnose and monitor conditions such as brain tumors and sleep disorders. Nanshu Lu, a professor at UT Austin and one of the project leaders, stated, “The holy grail for EEG is a sensor that patients can wear for long periods of time, outside the clinical setting and without the need for constant maintenance.”
Traditional EEG equipment involves caps with electrodes attached by wires, which can take hours to set up. The new method uses digital mapping of an individual's head shape with a camera and an algorithm that guides a robot printer to apply conductive ink precisely. This technique has been successful primarily with short-haired patients so far.
José del R. Millán, another project co-author from UT Austin, highlighted how these e-tattoos could revolutionize brain-computer interfaces by making them less obtrusive and easier to use in daily life. He said, “This design is ultra-low-profile, mechanically imperceptible to the user.”
Future goals for this research include improving application methods for longer hair using robotic tools and enhancing ink durability against friction during activities like sleeping or showering.
The research team comprises members from various departments at UT Austin and UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine.