Scientists from the University of Illinois, Tufts University and Northwestern University, have created a new kind of silicon, infused with magnesium and wrapped in silk, that dissolves in water.
[More from Mashable: FDA Approves Wearable Electrotherapy Device for Back Pain [VIDEO]]
In a report the September 28 issue of Science magazine, the research team details the potential range of applications for the silicon-based complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology.
Lead researcher John Rogers, of the University of Illinois, explained his team successfully implanted "physically transient" chips into mice. One real-life medical application that comes from the study involves building dissolvable chips that would allow doctors to monitor bacteria levels within incisions after surgery, to prevent infections. The biodegradable chips could be implanted and set to dissolve on its own -- eliminating the need for a second operation to remove the device.
[More from Mashable: 5 Diet Apps to Keep You on the Right Track]
Biodegradable electronics can also be used in environmental disasters, the researchers said. Monitoring devices can be shipped off to sea and allowed to melt away, lessening environmental waste.
Would you be willing to have an dissolvable chip implanted into your body? Share your thoughts about these melt-away electronics in the comments.
This story originally published on Mashable here.
No comments:
Post a Comment