No, this is not something from Star Wars. Tooth tattoos that report dental health is a technology close to hitting the market.
Tooth tattoos – made out of silk strands and gold wires – could be used to identify life threatening diseases, according to a report in the medical journal Nature Communications.
The small, wireless tattoo, sticks to dental enamel and informs users with real-time updates. Transmitting information about the breath and saliva, the device could prove revolutionary if it can be made to withstand wear and tear.
Engineers at Princeton University have used the tattoo to identify bacteria that would lead to surgical infections and stomach ulcers; it can also be used to recognize viruses. Plus, the antenna coil transmits the signal, so no battery needed. Despite the complexity of the device, reports say it could be applied with water like a temporary tattoo.
The sensor is still in the very early stages of development, but one day it could be used to check human health with precision. What other kinds of new technologies do you think Princeton is working on? Leave your predictions in the comments!