Could a paint-on electronic tattoo spot heart attacks?

A colorful shark painted on your hand might look like a temporary tattoo. However, the design could also monitor the electrical activity of your heart. Penn State engineers have developed a paint-on electronic tattoo made from conductive ink. Researchers apply the ink directly to the skin, where it dries into a working electrode.

The team can add food dye to create almost any color or design. Therefore, a medical sensor could look more like face paint than a clinical patch. Penn State has filed a provisional patent for the technology.