Scientists have invented an electronic, temporary face tattoo designed to measure the wearer's mental workload — and they hope it could help flag when people in high-pressure positions, like air traffic control, need a break.
In the past year, several high-profile disasters have highlighted the risks associated with overworked staff being pushed to their limits. One notable tragedy occurred in January, when a mid-air collision between a helicopter and a passenger plane killed 55 people. It happened at a time when staffing at Reagan National Airport tower was "not normal" and single air traffic controllers were covering work usually assigned to multiple controllers.
