Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Ingestible electronic devices offer significant potential for non-invasive healthcare monitoring. However, current systems often rely on rigid, non-degradable components and complex fabrication processes. In this study, we report a functional, maskless Laser Induced Graphene (LIG) antenna synthesized directly onto an edible material such as potato skin. This device serves as a foundational proof-of-concept for creating functional electronics on highly heterogeneous dietary material. We demonstrate a miniaturized edible antenna within the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band without introducing design complexities. Since the resonant frequency of an antenna is fundamentally governed by its physical dimensions, we optimized the geometry to an ingestible 1 cm² footprint while maintaining operation within the 5.8 GHz ISM band via edge-curvature design principles. We then characterized the platform’s transient electromagnetic behavior during in vitro testing in a simulated biological environment namely simulated gastric fluid. Over a 24-hour duration, the device exhibited a predictable attenuation in return loss alongside a consistent upward frequency shift, establishing its viability as a telemetry-based sensor for gastrointestinal (GI) monitoring. Other future applications of such an antenna includes a binary loss of signal mechanism for medication tracking or as a scaffold for surface functionalization with target specific bioreceptors for gastrointestinal monitoring. This study demonstrates a simple, scalable and edible antenna based on LIG for health monitoring and diagnostics.</p>