Those kooky scientists at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have gone overboard with this programmable tattoo concept. It uses hair-sized nanotubes embedded in the skin to display an image of your choice, which persists even after you turn off the power. Hopefully you can remove that image altogether for job interviews and such.

Those creative Rensselaer dudes see this as a social communication device — for example, letting people know they’ll be in for some story weather if they want to talk to you. Or if the nanotubes are embedded in your hand, they could be a reliable substitute for writing reminders on your palm in that messy, old-fashioned ink. Hm. Body modification updated by an embedded Wi-Fi network? Sign us up!

Oh my News, via GizmoWatch