New Removable Tech Tattoos Made of Gold Monitor Body for One Week

Like wearable tech... and tattoos? 

Researchers from the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Engineering invented a temporary tattoo-style body sensor that lasts for a week. 

Nanoscale mesh and electrodes made from water-soluble polymer, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and a thin layer of GOLD are hypoallergenic enabling constant skin contact for longer periods of time than their competitors (like MIT's gold-leaf temporary tattoos that can control electronics remotely). It's very thin and light, designed to be as comfortable and efficient as possible in monitoring physical health. 

These "gold tech tattoos" come in patches that you spray water on to melt the PVA so the gold threads stick to your body's pores and creases. It's breathable and doesn't cause rashes so it can be worn comfortably. 

The researchers tested people wearing these for a week and they showed no sign of inflammation. The patches withstood lots of bending and stretching movements over the week, remaining intact and intact. 

"We learned devices that can be worn for a week or longer for continuous monitoring were needed for practical use in medical and sports applications," said professor Takao Someya, who led the research group.

The researchers realized these nano-scale gold tech tattoo patches could match the ability of some gel electrodes commonly used today. 

"It will become possible to monitor patients' vital signs without causing any stress or discomfort."

But as tech companies make such strides towards smaller and better sensors, some are concerned about losing privacy rights. Even worse of a worry is the implantable microchip, or it's equivalent, that would govern one's access to almost anything by command of the "almighty" computer.