Temporary tattoos could have other uses than just an interim body art for people not willing to have permanent marks on their skin and undergo the “pain” that goes with inking. Developers say these stick-on tattoos could be used as medical monitors or even to boost the volume of voice.

One developer, a startup called Chaotic Moon, is developing the “Tech Tats,” which looks a bit embossed when placed on the epidermis. That’s because it has electronic components, including a microcontroller and LED lights, reports Engadget.

These wearable technology could serve as a slightly more permanent version of Fitbit and similar fitness trackers, says Chaotic Moon CEO Ben Lamm. It measures body temperature when a person is stressed as well as blood pressure and heart rate which are then transmitted via the electroconductive paint.

Lamm adds that the “Tech Tats” could also be used to track a child in crowded places. It could also function similar to Apple Pay or Samsung Pay for a variety of purchases. He also believes the military could use it to monitor their soldiers deployed in the field. However, “Tech Tat” is only a prototype from the Austin, Texas-based startup known for developing fire-breathing drones and fitness trackers that earn Bitcoins.

Besides Chaotic Moon, University of California San Diego researchers are developing tats that convert sweat into electricity. The temporary tattoo-like sensor keeps tab on exercise through the lactate, a substance found in perspiration that increases as a person performs more strenuous activities. Current testing method for lactate involves invasive blood tests while a person is exercising. With the temporary tattoo, an enzyme collects the electrons from the lactate and generates a moderate electrical current of 70 microwatts per square centimetre of skin that could power a biobattery, reports Engadget.

South Korean scientists are developing graphene tattoos. Graphene is a material that tech companies and researchers are experimenting to make tough and flexible electronic devices. Researchers from the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, and the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute are looking into its use as a biosensor for monitoring health or even as flexible displays and circuits.

Meanwhile, Motorola has a possible solution for people with weak voice volumes – a mic tattoo placed on the throat. By capturing vibrations directly from the larynx, background noise would be cut out. The planned temporary tattoo, which Motorola had applied for a patent, could communicate with a smartphone using Bluetooth, near-field communication or other wireless systems.

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