Flexible artificial skin can ‘feel’ humidity, heat and pressure

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South Korean researchers have developed an artificial skin that is sensitive to temperature, pressure and humidity, among other things. The artificial skin can also be brought to body temperature.

The artificial skin is made of transparent polydimethylsiloxane, a type of silicone. The researchers have intertwined so-called nanoribbons in the stretchable PDMs material. These generate energy when the artificial skin is stretched or twisted. This allows the artificial skin to ‘feel’, for example whether an object is warm or cold, the researchers say in the study, which is published in the scientific journal Nature.

The pdms material also contains small capacitors. When the artificial skin absorbs moisture, the storage possibilities for electricity in the material change. The capacitors can detect this difference, allowing them to detect humidity.

The researchers have tested the artificial skin in baby diapers, among other things. This showed that the material can determine whether or not a diaper is wet. They also managed to get the artificial skin up to body temperature, so that it does not feel cold when used.

The researchers hope to be able to cover prostheses with the material. It is still unclear how the information from the sensors should be sent to the brain of, for example, someone who is missing a hand.

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