Electronics Printed on Skin
This is very cool. Read this excerpt and check out the full article over at Technology Review.
So-called “epidermal electronics” were demonstrated previously in research from the lab of John Rogers, a materials scientist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; the devices consist of ultrathin electrodes, electronics, sensors, and wireless power and communication systems. In theory, they could attach to the skin and record and transmit electrophysiological measurements for medical purposes. These early versions of the technology, which were designed to be applied to a thin, soft elastomer backing, were “fine for an office environment,” says Rogers, “but if you wanted to go swimming or take a shower they weren’t able to hold up.” Now, Rogers and his coworkers have figured out how to print the electronics right on the skin, making the device more durable and rugged.
via a tip from Diana.
Skin Ads, Japanese Style
This one in via Lost At E Minor. In Japan, girls legs are now walking billboards.
See more pictures on their site. lostateminor.com
Mind-Controlled Robotic Arms
There has been a number of breakthroughs in prosthetic limbs connected directly to the brain. Here are a few related articles. None of them happen to be the one I was looking for, but oh well.
Robotic Arms Allow Paralyzed Patients to Grasp Objects
Mind-Controlled Robotic Hand Allows Woman to Pour Water
Growing Ears
via Takepart.com read the full article here.
“the doctors harvested enough cartilage from her chest wall to create an entire new ear. They carved and stitched this cartilage together to match her other ear. Then they implanted it, still skinless, near the wrist so skin and blood vessels could grow into it.”
via Takepart.com read the full article here.
Rack Grown Tissue
The world of The Gatecrashers takes place 30 years into the future. Technology like the organ growth profiled in this New York Times Article on organ transplant, has trickled down to the street, where regular citizens use this sort of technology not only for homegrown medical procedures, but also for back alley cosmetic reconstruction.
In Mr. Beyene’s case, an exact copy of his windpipe was made from a porous, fibrous plastic, which was then seeded with stem cells harvested from his bone marrow. After just a day and a half in a bioreactor — a kind of incubator in which the windpipe was spun, rotisserie-style, in a nutrient solution — the implant was stitched into Mr. Beyene, replacing his cancerous windpipe.
From the New York Times Article:
“A First: Organs Tailor-Made With Body’s Own Cells”
by HENRY FOUNTAIN
Biohackers
This one in via The Verge. This is where it all starts, in the garage (or at least mom’s basement).
Ok I would have embeded the video, but it would only embed at about 900 pixels wide. So here’s the link.
In a nutshell, these guys are doing some pretty invasive body modification.