# 96. Smart Health Tracking Tattoos

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2022-11-15
- Length: 21m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-11-15-96-smart-health-tracking-tattoos
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/96-smart-health-tracking-tattoos-fW2VQTjm

## Summary

Hosts Daniel and Forbode discuss research from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Coimbra on 'smart tattoos'—flexible, printed bioelectronic patches that track biometric data. They detail the use of eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn) alloy to create a conductive gel that combines the comfort of dry electrodes with the signal integrity of gel electrodes. The hosts highlight the technology's ability to last several days through daily activities like bathing and exercise, outperforming traditional silver-silver chloride electrodes in trials.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-11-15-96-smart-health-tracking-tattoos#t=0) Introduction and Sponsor Read
- [3:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-11-15-96-smart-health-tracking-tattoos#t=181) Smart Tattoos and Biometric Tracking
- [5:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-11-15-96-smart-health-tracking-tattoos#t=333) Challenges with Existing Wearables
- [10:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-11-15-96-smart-health-tracking-tattoos#t=641) The EGaIn Conductive Gel Solution
- [13:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-11-15-96-smart-health-tracking-tattoos#t=805) Device Architecture and Form Factor
- [16:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-11-15-96-smart-health-tracking-tattoos#t=984) Validation Trials and Future Licensing

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Carnegie Mellon University (other)
- University of Coimbra (other)
- Mouser Electronics (company)
- Samsung (company)
- Apple Watch (product)
- TPU (material)
- silver-silver chloride electrodes (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [168: Put Your Gear on the Ping Pong Table](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-09-14-168-put-your-gear-on-the-ping-pong-table) (Embedded.fm)
- [512: What if I Didn't Stop?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-10-16-512-what-if-i-didnt-stop) (Embedded.fm)
- [Episode Twenty-Seven: Simon Wanstall](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2022-11-25-episode-twenty-seven-simon-wanstall) (Robot Talk)
- [Event-Driven E-Skins Protect Both Robots and Humans](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2025-07-08-event-driven-e-skins-protect-both-robots-and-humans) (EE Times Current)
- [Ep 307: CNC Tattoos, The Big Chill in Space, and PCB Things](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-02-07-ep-307-cnc-tattoos-the-big-chill-in-space-and-pcb-things) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

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