We learned how to make wearable electronics from fish scales

Flexible wearable electronics has great prospects in many fields of application, including medicine. However, to create it, plastic components are used, which are often disposable and have a limited service life. The new development allows you to create a more environmentally friendly alternative from fish scales.

Plastic film has become widespread due to its flexibility and low cost. It integrates electronic components. Moreover, the material itself is short-lived and is replaced with a new one at the first damage. This in turn harms the environment. To obtain an environmentally friendly film, scientists used fish scales, which were turned into a jelly-like mixture. After drying, it began to possess all the properties of traditional flexible plastic analogues.

To demonstrate the capabilities of a fish scale film, an alternating current electroluminescent device was created that continued to glow after 1000 mechanical bends. Researchers do not claim that green film is stronger than plastic. According to experts, the main advantage of the technology is that after mixing with water and heating to 60 degrees, the material again turns into a gel. This allows you to reuse it. In addition, even in the event of disposal, the film decomposes in less than a month, leaving no traces or damage to the environment.