While many of us were sweating over the concept of chips being implanted in humans, another company was working on an invisible ink with which to tattoo both humans and animals.
Somark Innovations has successfully developed a chip-less biocompatible RFID and has tested its product on cattle and laboratory rats. Using micro-needles and an ink capsule, the skin is tattooed with an invisible ink. Although the tattoo can’t be seen by the human eye it can presently be detected as far as four feet away.
It takes a mere five to 10 seconds to “stamp or tattoo” an animal and the ink remains in the skin.
Information Week reported, “The U.S. Department of Agriculture calls for a 15-digit number to track cattle. The first three digits are ‘840’ for the U.S. country code. The remaining digits are unique identifiers. The numbers would link to a database containing more information.”
Scientist Mark Pydynowski said that it is safe for both animals and people and plans to license the RFID invisible tattoo to be used on military personnel. He said that, “The ink could be used to track and rescue soldiers.” He further commented, “It could help identify friends or foes, prevent friendly fire, and help save soldiers’ lives. It’s a very scary proposition when you’re dealing with humans, but with military personnel, we’re talking about saving soldiers’ lives and it may be something worthwhile,” Pydynowski said. “It can say where it has been, who it has talked to, who it has eaten with, and who else it has been in contact with,” he added.