Scientists 3D-print hair follicles in lab-grown skin
Nov 2023, phys.org
I can't even put the picture here, it's too much. Follow the link if you insist.
via Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Carolina Motter Catarino et al, Incorporation of hair follicles in 3D bioprinted models of human skin, Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg0297
Analysis of ancient Scythian leather samples shows two were made from human skin
Dec 2023 phys.org
It was found in Herodotus' writings reports of Scythians removing the skin from the right hand of an enemy and using it to make leather for their quivers. These researchers used paleoproteomics techniques to analyze 45 leather samples collected from 14 Scythian dig sites and found 2 of human skin.
via The Globe Institute at University of Copenhagen, Institute of Archaeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine: Luise Ørsted Brandt et al, Human and animal skin identified by palaeoproteomics in Scythian leather objects from Ukraine, PLOS ONE (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294129
3D printed electronic skin provides promise for human-machine interaction
Jan 2024, phys.org
Nanoengineered hydrogels that exhibit tunable electronic and thermal biosensing capabilities.
via Texas A&M University College of Engineering and the Indian Institute of Technology: Shounak Roy et al, 3D Printed Electronic Skin for Strain, Pressure and Temperature Sensing, Advanced Functional Materials (2024). DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202313575
'Electronic skin' continuously monitors nine markers that indicate a stress response
Jan 2024, phys.org
CARES (consolidated artificial-intelligence-reinforced electronic skin)
The introduction of a nickel-based compound helps to stabilize against breakdown of body fluids the enzymatic-based sensors such as those that detect lactate or glucose, as does a new polymer added to the ion-based sensors, which detect biomarkers like sodium or potassium.
via California Institute of Technology: Changhao Xu et al, A physicochemical-sensing electronic skin for stress response monitoring, Nature Electronics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41928-023-01116-6
An e-skin that can detect tactile information and produce tactile feedback
Mar 2024, phys.org
This e-skin integrates multimodal magnetic tactile sensing with vibration feedback, overcoming the bidirectional transmission limitations of current e-skin tech. It uses a flexible magnetic film, silicon elastomer, Hall sensor array, actuator array, and microcontroller unit.
via Tsinghua University: Shilong Mu et al, Dual-modal Tactile E-skin: Enabling Bidirectional Human-Robot Interaction via Integrated Tactile Perception and Feedback, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2402.05725
Developing artificial skin that can regenerate skin and transmit sensation at the same time
Apr 2024, phys.org
Smart bionic artificial skin can restore even permanently damaged tactile senses by fusing biocompatible materials and a tactile function delivery system implemented with electronic devices.
The artificial skin developed by the team is a hydrogel composed of collagen and fibrin, the main components of skin, that can detect even small pressure changes by inserting crack-based tactile sensors.
The sensed pressure changes are converted into electrical signals, via a wireless powered pressure-frequency modulation (WPPFM) circuit, which are then transmitted to the nerves by tactile nerve interfacing electrodes, allowing the device to perform the same tactile functions as the skin.
The researchers also found that collagen and fibrin, which are responsible for skin's elasticity and tissue connectivity, trigger the proliferation and differentiation of skin cells around the wound to promote skin regeneration.
via National Research Council of Science and Technology, Post-Silicon Semiconductor Institute, Yonsei University, Sungkyunkwan University: Kyowon Kang et al, Bionic artificial skin with a fully implantable wireless tactile sensory system for wound healing and restoring skin tactile function, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44064-7
Virtual skin contact: Smart textiles are making remote hugs tangible
Apr 2024, phys.org
Now we have to begin a sub-section of skin, because we have virtual skin:
The research team are developing ways to realize multi-sensory virtual encounters between individuals.
They have developed films that are a mere 50 micrometers thick and that can be worn like a second skin. Just as our skin is our body's interface to the outside world, these ultrathin films are the body's interface to the virtual world. The goal is to create a lifelike sensation of touch from interactions between people in a virtual environment.
When incorporated into textiles, these high-tech films allow the child to experience being touched when the mother or father strokes a second smart textile elsewhere.
"The films, known as dielectric elastomers, act both as sensors—detecting the tactile input from mum or dad—and as actuators—that transmit these movements to the child," explained Professor Seelecke, who heads the Intelligent Material Systems Lab at Saarland University.
When functioning as a sensor, the film is able to recognize with very high precision how a hand or finger presses or stretches the film as it brushes over it. This physical deformation caused by the parent's hand is then reproduced exactly in a second textile that is in contact with the child's skin—giving the child the realistic impression of being stroked on the arm, for example.
via Saarland University, Centre for Mechatronics and Automation Technology and the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence, at 2024 Hannover Messe
An e-skin that can detect tactile information and produce tactile feedback
Mar 2024, phys.org
This e-skin integrates multimodal magnetic tactile sensing with vibration feedback, overcoming the bidirectional transmission limitations of current e-skin tech. It uses a flexible magnetic film, silicon elastomer, Hall sensor array, actuator array, and microcontroller unit.
via Tsinghua University: Shilong Mu et al, Dual-modal Tactile E-skin: Enabling Bidirectional Human-Robot Interaction via Integrated Tactile Perception and Feedback, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2402.05725
