Princeton’s Tooth Tattoo Makes Gold Teeth Acceptable

“Using silk strands pulled from cocoons and gold wires thinner than a spider’s web, researchers at Princeton University have created a removable tattoo that adheres to dental enamel and could eventually monitor a patient’s health with unprecedented sensitivity.”

Michael McAlpine with the help of several graduate students at Princeton University designed and tested a very interesting device implanted on a cow’s tooth to transmit information on the health of the cow wirelessly in real time. An ingestible silk compound holds a gold pattern coil in its shape to create an antenna that does not require a battery. You just need an external radio transmitter to receive the signal.

The wonder material graphene is essential, and is layered with the gold and is used to detect bacteria and viruses in the animal’s system. The graphene can even be custom tailored to detect specific kinds of clinically important infections. The device is able to detect even the smallest amounts of bacteria, which is critical in treating certain diseases. Once applied, the silk dissolves in water or saliva leaving the gold antenna and graphene sensor on the back of a tooth.

Your Grill isn’t just a fashion statement, its functional!

Nature via Princeton

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