Fabrication, characterization and applications of graphene electronic tattoos

• Published in: Nature protocols Vol. 16; no. 5; pp. 2395 - 2417
• Main Authors: Kireev, Dmitry, Ameri, Shideh Kabiri, Nederveld, Alena, Kampfe, Jameson, Jang, Hongwoo, Lu, Nanshu, Akinwande, Deji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.05.2021; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 631/61/54/990; 639/166/985; 639/925/918/1052; 692/700/139/1449; Analytical Chemistry; Automation; Biological Techniques; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biosensors; Body temperature; Computational Biology/Bioinformatics; Design and construction; EEG; EKG; Electric properties; Electrocardiography; Electromechanical devices; Electromyography; Electrophysiology; Fabrication; Graphene; Interfaces; Life Sciences; Low cost; Manufacturing engineering; Mechanical properties; Medical electronics; Medical equipment; Methods; Microarrays; Muscles; Organic Chemistry; Physiological apparatus; Protocol; Quality; Robotics; School buildings; Skin; Tattooing; Tattoos; Wearable technology; United States
• ISSN: 1754-2189; 1750-2799
• DOI: 10.1038/s41596-020-00489-8

Numerous fields of science and technology, including healthcare, robotics and bioelectronics, have begun to switch their research direction from developing ‘high-end, high-cost’ tools towards ‘high-end, low-cost’ solutions. Graphene electronic tattoos (GETs), whose fabrication protocol is discussed in this work, are ideal building blocks of future wearable technology due to their outstanding electromechanical properties. The GETs are composed of high-quality, large-scale graphene that is transferred onto tattoo paper, resulting in an electronic device that is applied onto skin like a temporary tattoo. Here, we provide a comprehensive GET fabrication protocol, starting from graphene growth and ending with integration onto human skin. The methodology presented is unique since it utilizes high-quality electronic-grade graphene, while the processing is done by using low-cost and off-the-shelf methods, such as a mechanical cutter plotter. The GETs can be either used in combination with advanced scientific equipment to perform precision experiments, or with low-cost electrophysiology boards, to conduct similar operations from home. In this protocol, we showcase how GETs can be applied onto the human body and how they can be used to obtain a variety of biopotentials, including electroencephalogram (brain waves), electrocardiogram (heart activity), electromyogram (muscle activity), as well as monitoring of body temperature and hydration. With graphene available from commercial sources, the whole protocol consumes ~3 h of labor and does not require highly trained personnel. The protocol described in this work can be readily replicated in simple laboratories, including high school facilities. This protocol describes how to fabricate graphene electronic tattoos (GETs) that offer unique electromechanical properties. The GETs can be used for a variety of applications, including wearables, personalized biosensors and human–computer interfaces.