Even in the world of Star Trek, which teleported sci-fi fans to the 24th century, technology hadn’t advanced this far. Medics on the Enterprise still had to lug around little handheld devices to collect and analyze date. But here in 2016, researchers from the University of Tokyo have developed an ultrathin, flexible film that, one day, may become an electronic second skin.

A paper, published April 15 in Science Advances, announced the team’s skin-like construction, making mention of potential biomedical uses as a monitoring mechanism for vital signs such as blood oxygen levels and heart rates.

The group developed the film by alternating layers of inorganic and organic material. The protective skin prevented oxygen and water vapor from entering in the air, which extended the lifetime of the device from a few hours to several days. The research group was also able to attach transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes to enable an e-skin display.

"What would the world be like if we had displays that could adhere to our bodies and even show our emotions or level of stress or unease?" said Takao Someya, the paper’s lead author, in a release. "In addition to not having to carry a device with us at all times, they might enhance the way we interact with those around us or add a whole new dimension to how we communicate."