JERUSALEM, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Israeli researchers have developed artificial electronic skin able to heal itself, the northern Israel Institute of Technology (Technion) said Thursday.
The invention, published in the journal Advanced Materials, has several attributes and capabilities, including selective sensing, water resistance, self-monitoring, and self-healing.
It contains a sensory system composed of nanometric materials that selectively and simultaneously monitors various environmental variables such as pressure, temperature, and acidity.
The skin's self-healing system, inspired by the healing process of the human skin, consists of neuron-like components, that monitor damage to the electronic parts, and other components that accelerate the self-healing process.
This mechanism enables the smart electronic systems to self-monitor their activities and repair functional problems caused by mechanical damage.
The skin's development is based on an innovative soft elastic waterproof polymer, also invented by the Technion team, and published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.
This polymer can stretch to 1,100 percent of its original length without tearing and can also heal itself in cases of scratch, cut, or twist, and even when soaked in tap water, sea water, and water with varying levels of acidity.
It can also heal itself when submerged in water, preventing electric current flow to the water.
Thus, the polymer has a huge potential for use in soft, dynamic electronic devices that come in contact with water.
The team also used the new polymer to develop advanced sensors that can monitor temperature, pressure, and acidity, and that are likely to be beneficial to a range of applications in the fields of robotics, prosthetics, and wearable devices. Enditem
