As evidenced by increasingly popular wearable devices such as smart watches and fitness trackers, sensors of all kinds are getting smaller and more sensitive.

At the same time, scientists are constantly coming up with new materials, such as so-called ‘hydrogels' that closely resemble human skin.

Combining these two advances, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology created a stretchy polymer with stiffness similar to human soft tissues.

Titanium wires embedded in a zig-zag pattern easily stretch without breaking contact with miniature sensors.

The researchers were also able to create a strong bond between the electronic sensors and the polymer.

Xuanhe Zhao: "We further embed electronic devices such as sensors, such as different drug delivery devices, into this matrix to achieve, you know, what we call the smart applications."

The combination amounts to a kind of "smart wound dressing" that can react to changes in the skin around it.

Xuanhe Zhao: "And once the sensor, you know, senses an abnormal increase in temperature, for example, it will send out a command. Then the controlled drug delivery system can deliver a specific drug to that specific location."

Medication quickly spreads across the bandage through tiny channels.

Embedded LED lights could alert patients and doctors to changes at particular spots. The researchers say the new polymer will be suitable for application both on the skin and inside the body.

George Putic. VOA News. Washington.