Stick a bioelectric signal recorder on your skin

Nanotaturovka will be able to compare emotions and control muscle activity

STMEGI based on materials eurekalert.org : Nanotech 'tattoo' can map emotions and monitor muscle activity

A new temporary "electronic tattoo" developed at Tel Aviv University can measure the activity of muscle and nerve cells - with their invention, scientists are ready to revolutionize medicine, rehabilitation and even business and marketing research.

The "tattoo" consists of a carbon electrode and an adhesive surface that are attached to the skin. Nanotechnology based on a conductive polymer coating increases the performance of the electrode. It creates a strong, steady signal for hours on end without irritating the skin. "Tattoo" will be used to monitor muscle activity

The electrode, developed by the head of the Tel Aviv Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Professor Yael Hanein, can accelerate the therapeutic recovery of damaged nerves and tissues and even lead to a deeper understanding of our emotional life.

Professor Hanein's research was published last month in the journal Scientific Reports (Bareket et al., Temporary-tattoo for long-term high fidelity biopotential recordings) and presented at the international nanomedicine program, which is supported by the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

The main application of the new electrode can be the comparison of emotions through the control of facial expressions using electrical signals coming from the facial muscles. "The ability to identify and correlate human emotions has many potential applications," Professor Hanein said.

Examples of myograms with different emotions from an article in Scientific Reports – VM

– Advertisers, sociologists and media workers all want to test people's reactions to various products and situations. Today, without precise scientific tools, they rely on inevitably subjective surveys."

The device was developed as an alternative to electromyography, a test that evaluates the health of muscles and nerve cells. This is an inconvenient and unpleasant medical procedure that requires patients to stay in the laboratory for several hours. However, the Israeli invention opens up wider possibilities in medicine.

The tattoo will be used to monitor muscle activity in patients with neurodegenerative diseases.

Moreover, the physiological data obtained from specific muscles can be used to monitor the condition of drivers during the trip. Patients undergoing rehabilitation after a stroke or brain injury can use a "tattoo" to improve muscle control.

The electrode, which is a project of the European Research Council, received support from a Consortium of the Israeli Ministry of Economy

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru  13.07.2016