Hypersensitive skin

An electronic skin has been developed that feels the breeze and drops of water

Vladimir Guillen, Naked Science

Scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have created an electronic skin sensitive enough to register changes in wind direction, drops falling and the movement of ants.

The scientists published a paper on their achievements in the journal Science Robotics, in which they described the technology of electronic skin and its possible application (Wu et al., A skin-inspired tactile sensor for smart prosthetics).

Specialists continue to improve the appearance and capabilities of robots — and one of the main areas of research is the skin. Robotics engineers want to develop an electronic skin similar to a human one. It is believed that robots of the future need to "feel" in order to perform complex but accurate actions. It's about reacting to temperature, noticing changes in textures, or processing pleasant sensations. Scientists from China were able to take an important step in improving the sensitivity of electronic skin.

The new skin is able to register minor changes in pressure and convert this information into pulses. Scientists covered the magnetic sensors with a hollow polymer membrane, and then embedded magnetic beads in its upper part. At pressure, the membrane is pressed in, which is why the embedded beads approach the sensor. The resulting resistance is then sent to the electronic circuit. The circuit converts the signals into a series of pulses of different frequencies, reflecting the intensity of the pressure that the skin "felt".

Electronic skin capable of "pulsating" in response to pressure / © Wu et.al. 

The researchers created an artificial finger covered with electronic skin and attached it to an artificial hand for testing. They report that the skin they created was able to generate impulses in response to even a slight pressure exerted on it by ants running on the surface. She was also able to register changes in wind speed and the difference in the size of water droplets falling on her.

Engineers report that in some cases, electronic skin registered changes in pressure even better than human skin. They believe that the development can be useful in robotics and improve the performance of artificial limbs.

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