Scientists develop tattoos you can turn on and off
Engineers have developed 'PhotoTat,' a new type of tattoo ink that can be toggled on and off using specific light wavelengths. The ink uses light-sensitive dyes encapsulated in PMMA spheres, allowing the tattoo to appear or disappear based on UV or LED exposure.
Why it matters
This technology could revolutionize body art by providing a non-permanent, customizable alternative to traditional permanent tattoos, potentially removing social or professional barriers.
shares Share article A tattoo you can turn on and off sounds like science fiction, but a team of engineers has brought it into reality.
A new study in Cell Press journal Matter and Light reveals the new inks could help people conceal their tattoos when they feel the need, such as for a job interview.
Newly-designed tattoos can be turned on and off with the application of different kinds of light. Matter and Light, Bruns et al
“Tattooing is a very ancient technology that remains mostly untapped as a platform for today’s technologies,” lead author Carson Bruns of the University of Colorado said.
The new inks, known as PhotoTat, are made from dyes and a plexiglass-like material common in many medical technologies on the market today, including dermal fillers.
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