What They Say
Wearable Technology reported on a paper from ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces that describes a two-metal nanocomposite for circuits that disintegrates when submerged in water. They demonstrated the circuits in a prototype transient device — a functional smartwatch that dissolved within 40 hours. The research group previously developed a zinc-based nanocomposite that dissolved in water for use in temporary circuits, but it wasn’t conductive enough for consumer electronics.
They developed the material by adding silver nanowires and putting it on a polymer that is water soluble (PVA). They made a ‘smartwatch’ using the technique that had a number of sensors and a bluetooth connection. The device was resistant to sweat but dissolved after 40 hours in water.
What We Think
It’s not clear to me that the smartwatch actually had a display, so I’m not sure it really qualifies if you can’t see the time! (BR)
