Tattooing is an age-old practice and soot – “the black powdery carbon dust left in the fireplace when you burn things” – is commonly used. The pigment particles become trapped in the dermis, creating an aesthetically pleasing composition. In his keynote on tattoos, Bruns explores ways and proposes ideas to give a functional component to the artworks.
The speaker offers the use of microcapsules – “a small hollow particle with a protective outer layer”, as a method of delivering functional particles. The first idea shared by Carson Bruns is one where the ink could detect UV rays, signaling to individuals to reapply sunscreen and thus limit the risk of skin cancer. The second idea is related to temperature regulation. This can be a way for people to know if they should seek medical help. Bruns saves his most ambitious proposal for last. The final idea is related to enabling electrical conduction of the skin, allowing people to charge devices such as pacemakers.
