Skin-interfaced wearable health technology has a hidden flaw: Many systems work best on smoother skin, which tends to be on younger bodies — not the older adults who often need them most. This is because aging-related changes in skin, including wrinkles, thinning and dryness, can significantly impact the contact and data quality of wearable devices.

Imagine a future where cancer treatment affects only the tumor, where eye injections are no longer required and brain surgeries don’t result in large incisions or long recovery times. That’s the future researchers at Michigan State University are working toward.