New Type Of Tattoo Can Be Turned On And Off: How Does It Work?
Have you ever wanted a tattoo but decided against it because of how it might be perceived in official settings? Fret not, for a nanoengineer has created a type of tattoo that can be turned on or off based on your convenience.
Nanoengineer Carson Bruns recently tested the invention on his own in his lab at the University of Colorado Boulder. The tattoo in question is a small dot that can be turned on and off and performs differently under various light conditions - Ultraviolet light turns it on and daylight (or light from a torch) can turn it off.
A tattoo that turns off when you don't want it
"You can go to court and turn it off, and then go to the party and turn it on. And then go to Grandma¡¯s house and turn it off," Bruns told?KFF Health News.
Bruns started a company with star tattoo artist Keith "Bang Bang" McCurdy. Their first product, Magic Ink, will be released next year to a few handpicked artists. He says that Magic Ink is made from particles of dye that are encased in beads of plexiglass.
Even then, such new inks could have uncertain results. While many people are still uncertain about getting inked because of side effects, permanent tattoos, as they exist now, have managed to gain the trust of a large community around the world.
Recently, Bruns received funding from the National Science Foundation to assess which size and type of nanoparticles are less likely to irritate one's immune system and more likely to stay in place over time.
Also read:?Scientists Develop Graphene 'Tattoo' To Correct Heartbeat Irregularities
Sure, tattoos look super cool and are largely considered among the safest ways (if done right) to elevate your personal style. But Magic Ink's creators have a larger plan. They've also created an ink that changes colour when exposed to gamma radiation. Another one becomes visible when it's time to put on sunscreen. There's another one that can act as a permanent sunscreen. While none of these are available to consumers, such inks have been tested on mice and pigskin.
Also read:?Lego-Like 'Smart Tattoos' Offer A Glimpse Into The Future Of Wearable Technology
His partner, Bang Bang has done tattoos for Rihanna and Miley Cyrus among many. Even with his star power, such tattoos have a long way to go before becoming the norm - especially if they intend to blur the lines between tattoos for fun and tattoos with medical value, considering the number of regulations in place.
What do you think about this tattoo? Let us know in the comments below.?For more in the world of?technology?and?science, keep reading?Indiatimes.com.??
