Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University researchers have developed a special kind of synthetic leather. In terms of detecting the pressure put on it by the body, it is more sensitive than human skin.
One of science’s most ground-breaking inventions, synthetic leather is particularly made to mirror the functions of human skin, yet some of its varieties perform better than human skin in many ways.
The newly developed skin might be utilized for a variety of purposes, including as burn implants, robotics, and prosthetics.
In order to give prostheses a more natural appearance and feel, as well as sensory function that is lacking in this kind of prosthesis, it can also be utilized to coat their surface.
It might be applied to robotics to build more naturally interacting, touch-sensitive robots that interact with their surroundings.
The new skin, according to the researchers, may enhance wearable sensor systems. The skin has a series of sensors that enable it to receive and recognize the environment around it without having to touch it.
The new leather is reasonably priced since it is constructed from readily accessible polymeric components.
The skin is strong and does not easily tear, but it is also flexible and foldable, according to the researchers, making it appropriate for large-scale manufacturing in the future. It can also be incorporated into the newest electronics, artificial intelligence, prosthetics, and augmented reality technologies.