Bringing a human touch to wearable tech with skin-like sensors

Skin-like sensors bring a human touch to wearable tech

Article Highlights

Human skin can stretch about 50 per cent, but our AISkin can stretch up to 400 per cent of its length without breaking. (Video: Daria Perevezentsev)

Researchers have developed a super-stretchy, transparent and self-powering sensor that records the complex sensations of human skin
Dubbed artificial ionic skin — or AISkin for short — the researchers believe the innovative properties of AISkin could lead to future advancements in wearable electronics, personal health care and robotics.
“Since it’s hydrogel, it’s inexpensive and biocompatible — you can put it on the skin without any toxic effects. It’s also very adhesive, and it doesn’t fall off, so there are so many avenues for this material,”
When the AISkin is subjected to strain, humidity or changes in temperature, it generates controlled ion movements across the sensing junction, which can be measured as electrical signals such as voltage or current.
“If you look at human skin, how we sense heat or pressure, our neural cells transmit information through ions — it’s really not so different from our artificial skin,” says Liu.
“Our human skin can stretch about 50 per cent, but our AISkin can stretch up to 400 per cent of its length without breaking,”
Another application is in soft robotics — flexible bots made completely out of polymers. An example is soft robotic grippers used in factories to handle delicate objects such as light bulbs or food.
“If we further advance this research, this could be something we put on like a ‘smart bandage,’” says Liu. “Wound healing requires breathability, moisture balance – ionic skin feels like the natural next step.”

The Complete Story: Skin-like sensors bring a human touch to wearable tech

University of Toronto

Go deeper with Bing News on:

Self-powering sensor

Self-driving wheelchairs could soon be reality, inspiring independence for users
You've probably heard about self-driving cars, but what about self-driving wheelchairs?Driver-assistance technology is being rolled out in a whole new way at Chicago’s Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Power ...
Tesla Self-Driving Robotaxis May Get China Rollout First
A state-owned newspaper revealed that Elon Musk's moonshot Tesla vehicle may soon be self-driving through Chinese streets.
Steer-by-wire sensor
Melexis has created a magnetic sensor with functional safety for steer-by-wire systems. "For innovations like steer-by-wire systems, position sensors are ...
Tesla bought over $2 million worth of lidar sensors from Luminar this year
He previously called it a “crutch” and said any company that relies on lidar for its autonomous capabilities was “doomed.” Well, apparently Tesla is stocking up on crutches. In its quarterly earnings ...
Self-Driving Trucks Claim Climate Benefits
The autonomous trucking industry says its self-driving vehicles can cut carbon emissions by reducing fuel use, though some groups have raised safety questions ...

Go deeper with Google Headlines on:

Self-powering sensor

[google_news title=”” keyword=”self-powering sensor” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]

Go deeper with Bing News on:

Artificial ionic skin

Purdue Computes
As student interest in computing-related majors and the societal impact of artificial intelligence and chips continue to rise rapidly, Purdue has launched a new major initiative, Purdue Computes, ...
Skin Care News
AI-Based App Can Help Physicians Find Skin Melanoma Mar. 20, 2024 — A mobile app that uses artificial intelligence, AI, to analyze images of suspected skin lesions can diagnose melanoma with ...
Global Regenerative Artificial Skin Industry
Global Regenerative Artificial Skin Industry is expected to be valued at US$ 2,185.5 Million in 2022 projected a CAGR of 9.9% By 2032 ...
Developing artificial skin that can regenerate skin and transmit sensation at the same time
The figure above shows the components of the artificial skin Crack-based tactile sensor, Wireless powered pressure-frequency modulation (WPPFM) circuit, and neural interface electrodes of the ...
Artificial Intelligence
Pollen counters are turning to artificial intelligence as seasonal allergies worsen due to climate change. CBS News national correspondent Dave Malkoff explains how technology is changing the long ...