Conformal electronics for longitudinal bio-sensing in at-home assistive and rehabilitative devices

Wearable electronics are revolutionizing personalized and preventative healthcare by allowing the easy, unobtrusive, and long term monitoring of a range of body parameters. Conformal electronics which attach directly to the skin in a very robust and long term manner are envisioned as the next generation of highly portable miniaturized computing devices, beyond wearables. In this paper we overview the state-of-the-art in conformal electronics created using silver nanoparticle inkjet printed techniques for home assistive and rehabilitative devices. The barriers to wider adaption, particularly the challenges of high performance antenna design when placed close to the body, are discussed in detail.