Smartest Artificial Skin Yet

Dec-10-14 A stretchy artificial skin able to detect moisture, pressure and temperature could be the next step forward in creating realistic and responsive prosthetic hands.

The skin, developed by a team in South Korea, is being called the smartest artificial skin to date. It is made up of flexible, transparent silicon polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), that has been embedded with silicon nanoribbons. The nanoribbons act as pressure sensors by generating electricity when compressed or stretched and can also detect the temperature of an object. Humidity is detected via capacitors that measure the ability of the surrounding polymers to store a charge, which changes when the polymer absorbs water. The artificial skin is also equipped with layers of thermal actuators that heat and hold it at a steady 98°F, giving the skin a more life-like feel.

Although other skins have been created with the ability to measure pressure, temperature and humidity, this is the first time these characteristics have been integrated in a stretchy substrate.

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[POPSCI.COM]
[TECHNOLOGYREVIEW.COM]

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