This new “electronic skin” device can stretch by 60% in any direction without losing its functionality. (Credit: Chuanqian Shi)

A wearable electronic device is really wearable. The stretchy and fully recyclable circuit board is inspired by, and sticks onto, human skin. The device can heal itself, much like real skin. It also reliably performs a range of sensory tasks, from measuring the body temperature of users to tracking their daily step counts.

The researchers use screen printing to create a network of liquid metal wires. They then sandwich those circuits in between two thin films made out of a highly flexible and self-healing material called polyimine.

The resulting device is a little thicker than a Band-Aid and can be applied to skin with heat. It can also stretch by 60 percent in any direction without disrupting the electronics inside, the team reports.

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