Unveiling the Marvels of Smart Skin: Enhancing Healthcare and Beyond
This article aims to introduce the foundational structure and functions of the skin while elucidating the concept of ‘smart skin’ and its relevance in modern society.
Introduction
Skin, our body’s largest organ, is a complex structure composed of three layers: the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. Our skin plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being. Not only does it regulate temperature and manage water balance in the body, but also acts as a barrier, protecting us from pathogens and harmful radiation (Yousef, et al., 2020). Skin comprises an intensive network of various factors working together in unison, shaping our sensory experiences and physical appearances. Thus, the skin is a vital guardian of our body.
In recent years, technologies that mimic or altogether recreate artificial skin have become popular for their various applications in medicine. One such example is the development of “smart skin.” This innovative concept involves the creation of sensor-embedded patches of artificial skin that can be seamlessly attached to human skin, without the risk of malfunction or detachment during daily activities (Someya and Amagai, 2019).
Applications of Smart Skin
Smart skin technology offers a myriad of physiological monitoring capabilities. These patches have demonstrated the ability to monitor vital signs over extended periods, offering valuable insights into an individual’s health, fitness, and sleep patterns (Chu, 2021). However, the potential applications of smart skin extend far beyond basic health tracking and are being tested for its uses in treating more severe health conditions.
How Does Smart Skin Work?
Skin sensors, which measure electrical, physical, and chemical signals from the body, are at the core of smart skin technology. While most skin sensors today primarily focus on monitoring glucose levels, ongoing research aims to develop sensors that can incorporate other biomarkers such as lactic acid and oxygen saturation (Someya and Amagai, 2019).
Skin sensors are made of silicon microelectronics capable of compatibility with human skin. In addition, the creation of “soft electronics” with a greater scale of physical flexibility has further allowed skin sensors to have a structure and function similar to that of human skin. And this is where this innovation of smart skin comes into play.
Engineers from MIT and researchers from South Korea are now exploring the potential of smart skin in tracking the progression of diseases such as cancer, offering a non-invasive and stable solution to current healthcare concerns. This collaboration has enabled the development of breathable and noninvasive skin, aka smart skin, which doesn’t harm the skin or its barrier. It also addresses the main problem with most skin sensors: sweat accumulation. By mimicking human pores, this rendition of smart skin allows sweat to evaporate. In this way, the smart skin will not peel off from the skin and would also be able to withstand other conditions most sensors wouldn’t without damaging human skin. Furthermore, the extreme flexibility and resemblance of human skin in smart skin comes from the Japanese method of kirigami folding (Chu, 2021).
Limitations
While smart skins present a useful technology with the potential to change the course of healthcare in the years to come, several improvements are necessary to put this technology into complete real-world adoption such as size reduction, battery optimization, sensor sensitivity enhancement, and data analysis optimization (Someya and Amagai, 2019).
Additionally, the resilience of smart skin is yet to be fully tested, as its thin structure may make it susceptible to daily activities that extend beyond what researchers have tested so far.
Concluding Thoughts
Smart skin represents a significant leap forward in medical technology, offering the promise of early intervention across a variety of diseases. As researchers continue to refine this technology, its impact on healthcare and beyond is poised to be transformative.
Works Cited
Someya, T., & Amagai, M. (2019). Toward a new generation of smart skins. Nature Biotechnology, 37(4), 382–388. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-019-0079-1
Chu, Jennifer. Sweat-proof “smart skin” takes reliable vitals, even during workouts and spicy meals. (2021, June 30). MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://news.mit.edu/2021/smart-skin-vitals-0630
Yousef, H., Alhajj, M., & Sharma, S. (2020, November 14). Anatomy, Skin (Integument), Epidermis. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470464/
