Skip to main content

Pain-free patch uses dissolving microneedles to deliver your yearly flu shot

There are plenty of reasons why needle-and-syringe immunization isn’t great — ranging from the difficulty of self-administering it to, well, the fact that some people hate being stuck in the arm with a sharp bit of metal. Fortunately, it seems like the folks at Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University have come to much the same conclusion. With these issues in mind, they’ve developed a new experimental Band-Aid-sized flu patch that could one day replace your annual flu shot by way of dissolving microneedles.

“Collaborators at GA Tech have been working on a microneedle patch (MNP) for vaccine delivery for many years,” Dr. Nadine Rouphael, professor at the Emory University School of Medicine and first author of the study, told Digital Trends. “The microneedles are tiny and dissolve within the superficial layers of the skin. The goal of the technology is to be safe, effectively deliver vaccines, and be simple to use.”

Recommended Videos

In a trial of 100 patients, the pain-free patch was concluded to be safe for use in humans, while also carrying out its use case of generating the right antibody response to fight flu. In the aftermath, more than 70 percent of patch recipients said they’d prefer a patch-based vaccination to a traditional injection, or even a nasal spray, when getting future vaccinations.

The fact that the patch can be used anywhere is one of the things that makes it so exciting. In the recent study, a subgroup of subjects had to administer the vaccine themselves, and were easily able to do so. Considering that the World Health Organization estimates that between 250,000 and 500,000 people die from influenza each year, a technology like this could help treat people who might otherwise not travel into a flu clinic for whatever reason.

“Since the MNP completely dissolve, leaving no sharp waste behind, and does not require refrigeration, it makes it very attractive for self administration outside healthcare settings,” Rouphael said.

Next up, Rouphael said the goal is to carry out studies in different populations and different vaccines. “This summer Micron Biomedical — the manufacturer of the patch — and Emory University will be conducting MNP placebo studies in kids,” she said. “Micron Biomedical, GA Tech and CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), with funds from the Gates and Melinda Foundations, will [also] be testing the patch for measles, rubella, and inactivated polio in 2018 to 2019.”

Between this and the various early warning technologies researchers have come up for tracking the spread of flu, hopefully we’re getting closer to being able to avoid the sneaky influenza virus whenever it rears its ugly head.

Luke Dormehl
I'm a UK-based tech writer covering Cool Tech at Digital Trends. I've also written for Fast Company, Wired, the Guardian…
The Ioniq 5 is once again eligible for the $7,500 tax credit
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5

After a brief and confusing absence, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is once again eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax credit — and this time, it's sticking around (at least for now). So, what happened? Let’s unpack the ride.

The Ioniq 5, a sleek and tech-savvy electric crossover, initially made headlines not just for its design, but for being built at Hyundai’s brand-new Metaplant in Georgia. That domestic assembly qualified it for the EV tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which requires vehicles to be made in North America with batteries sourced from trade-friendly countries. But early in 2025, the Ioniq 5 vanished from the list. Why? Likely due to its battery packs, which were then still being sourced from SK On’s Hungarian facility.

Read more
Sebastian Stan lays out Bucky’s future after Thunderbolts
Sebastian Stan in Thunderbolts.

There are some spoilers ahead for the ending of Marvel's Thunderbolts. Stop reading now if you don't want to be spoiled.

Earlier this year, Captain America: Brave New World briefly introduced a new direction for James "Bucky" Barnes, a character Sebastian Stan has been playing since 2011 in Captain America: The First Avenger. In Brave New World, the former Winter Soldier apparently retired from being a reformed hero and went into politics by running for Congress. Thunderbolts reveals that Bucky won his election to the House of Representatives. But his stay in Congress was short.

Read more
Jeep Compass EV breaks cover—but will it come to the U.S.?
jeep compass ev us newjeepcompassfirsteditionhawaii  4

Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.

Read more