In Colorado, CU Boulder researchers have developed a new type of malleable, self-healing and fully recyclable electronic skin that has applications ranging from robotics and prosthetic development to better biomedical devices. Electronic skin, known as e-skin, is a thin, translucent material that can mimic the function and mechanical properties of human skin.
A number of different types of wearable e-skins are being developed in labs around the world as researchers recognize their value in diverse medical, scientific and engineering fields. The new CU Boulder e-skin has sensors embedded to measure pressure, temperature, humidity and air flow.
The technology has several distinctive properties, including a novel type of covalently bonded dynamic network polymer, known as polyimine that has been laced with silver nanoparticles to provide better mechanical strength, chemical stability, and electrical conductivity. Another benefit is that it can be easily conformed to curved surfaces like human arms and robotic hands.