Science

Stretchy, Synthetic Skin Created From Spray-On Nanotubes Senses Touch

Scientists at Stanford are looking to make humanoid robots even more realistic or perhaps restore lost skin functionality to people with prosthetics, developing synthetic skin that is bendable and sensory.

Stanford Researchers Create Synthetic Sensing Skin

Creating a clear, stretchy array of nanotubes, researchers have created a sensor that registers both touch and pressure. According to the Stanford News, the “skin” is developed from a thin layer of spray on carbon nanotubes on a piece of silicone:

When the nanotubes are airbrushed onto the silicone, they tend to land in randomly oriented little clumps. When the silicone is stretched, some of the “nano-bundles” get pulled into alignment in the direction of the stretching.

When the silicone is released, it rebounds back to its original dimensions, but the nanotubes buckle and form little nanostructures that look like springs.

[...]

Stretching the nanotube-coated silicone a second time, in the direction perpendicular to the first direction, causes some of the other nanotube bundles to align in the second direction. That makes the sensor completely stretchable in all directions, with total rebounding afterward.

Watch the researchers explain the synthetic, touch/pressure-sensing skin:

[H/T Gizmodo]

Comments (21)

  • Physicist_In_Training
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 10:55pm

    This is so cool! One of the reasons I’ve been looking into biomedical engineering for grad school is that I would have the opportunity to work on neat stuff like this. Can you imagine the applications for things like prosthetics?

    And for all of you who see the word “science” and immediately start on the God speeches about how we wicked people in science are trying to play God, yada yada…with all due respect, shove off. We are trying to understand the universe around us and through that understanding increase the quality of life that we have on earth. When the wheel was invented, it was the same thing; when fiberoptic cables were first conjectured (which is what makes it possible for most of you to come on here and spout your science-hating drivel), again, the same. Is this any more “playing God” than the invention of pacemakers, or knee replacements, or even something as simple as corrective lenses for your eyes? This technology could embetter the lives of people who have lost limbs in combat or accidents, and potentially even lead to a way to deal with neurologically degenerative diseases. You or people you know and love could benefit from this and lead richer lives as a result of it.

    And if you think that this is about creating artificial life…go take a biology class, and a physics one or two while you’re at it, and get off our case and out of our way.

    Report Post » Physicist_In_Training  
  • Ford
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 10:55pm

    This article made me think of that movie with the kid from the 6th sense that was a robot. He was activated and could feel and had emotions. Then I think about the ending of that movie and how much I can’t stand Spielburg because he has to ruin every movie he makes with aliens. Then I think of the latest Indiana Jones and how much that movie sucked…and my train of thought has completely jumped the rails and burst into flames…

    Report Post » Ford  
  • SoCalConservative88
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 12:56pm

    Can you people go one story without relating it to “god”…..

    For one, get over yourselves, and two…no one else cares!

    Instead of fighting over race or what have you…you idiots bicker and complain about who’s more connected with “god’………Go sit in your damn church and stop ruining this website!!!

    Report Post » SoCalConservative88  
  • Dismayed Veteran
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 9:46am

    Has it occurred to anyone that GOD the FATHER and CREATOR is all powerful and knowing. If HE so chose, man would not be able to apply science to make these remarkable devices. Do you believe man with the divine spark of GOD could do this without GOD’s intervention. Every “discovery” that man makes is permitted by GOD. GOD’s hand is in everything. HE gave man free will and sometimes man uses science to evil purposes. Does anyone believe that GOD did not know that in advance?

    Anyone who does not believe GOD created and continues to crreate science should stop using their PC and go back to writing. Opps, GOD gave us the pencil, pen and paper. You need to carve your messages in stone. Opps, GOD gave us the tools to carve. I guess you can talk to another person. Opps, GOD gave us speech.

    Visit a VA hospital some time. There are many patients who would benefit from this remarkable device. This is not a sin. This is taking a GOD given gift and applying it for the betterment of mankind.

    Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
    • K Chad Roberts
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 12:59pm

      That is my stance as well! God gave us eyes, a brain… basically the capacity to observe and manipulate the world around us. Why in his name, is it appropriate to not use our capacity to learn more about the world he created for us?

      Report Post »  
  • amirizar10
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 8:14am

    There’s a thin line between skepticism, and stupidity.

    Report Post » amirizar10  
  • TxSon
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 8:07am

    The10thAmendment should seriously consider finding a very remote cave somewhere to avoid all the science that improves his life on a daily basis seeing as “it never works out well”. By the way, be sure to arrive completely naked and without any tools. You know tools are a work of science and don‘t work out well so it’s best to avoid them all together…

    Give me break!

    Report Post » TxSon  
    • The10thAmendment
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 8:19am

      No thanks. Technically I’m a Computer Scientist (I only claim Engineer personally), and I spend a great deal of time in the field programming what we build to help keep American troops safe, and the enemy dead.

      Report Post » The10thAmendment  
  • The10thAmendment
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 7:58am

    God a master scientist. That’s hilarious. So you equate God to some man christened Phd who’s still stumbling around trying to learn how to count on his fingers, much less his toes!

    Something tells me that you’ve never given thought to simple life structures, like DNA. Some people have, and get lost in just the math to unravel the mystery of what causes life. Since DNA never leaves the cell, the code is “written” on mRNA and etc etc amino acid, protein production (specific amounts of each), and they create from the very same blueprint contained in the “cell” aka Holy of Holy’s, a complete replica of the original language. But what triggers the precision of the structure that brings the Spirit of God. How do those exact same proteins know they are to turn the switch on for fingers, for toes, for your nose, your ears? Especially seeing that the majority of DNA (that copy from the original DNA cell) is considered “junk information”. How does the messenger (mRNA) know which proteins are to do what, and which portions are “junk” (not really junk, except to mans knowledge) to be ignored? The company that I work for makes a little bit more than drones. We developed the Biogenetic Delivery System (gene gun). Those who work in the field know one thing for certain. What we know wouldn’t even fill the surface of a sewing needle point to Gods knowledge.

    God a master scientist. That’s hilarious. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.

    Report Post » The10thAmendment  
    • Mister July
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 9:55am

      While scientists seek knowledge, God already has perfect knowledge. You are correct, to call God a scientist, even a Master Scientist is completely erroneous. Master Designer, however, is much more apt. Or how about simply, God…

      Report Post » Mister July  
  • garclar
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 7:49am

    Living in the material world gives us progressive changes that some may view as helping mankind or just helping themselves to a better life. Scripture says do not be of this world, live in it but do not be part of it. Man‘s gains may not be God’s….

    Report Post »  
  • Will4Freedom
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 7:46am

    What makes man unique above all other animals is our ability to reason and adjust our environment. How did we come about those abilities? Should we not use them and just live our lives like the rest of the animals?

    Report Post »  
  • bigdaddyt46
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 7:02am

    i agree with the10thamendment

    Report Post » bigdaddyt46  
  • Candertwin
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 4:39am

    Awesome idea. Looks like they still have a long way to go before it can be used on prosthetics, so I hope they keep developing it. Science does point to God, as God is life, life which we measure using science. Keep working fellow scientists.

    Report Post »  
  • The10thAmendment
    Posted on October 26, 2011 at 1:12am

    Man attempting to play God.

    Report Post » The10thAmendment  
    • gabriel5
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:17am

      Or…God inspiring man. If this kind of technology allows for a prosthetic with feeling and sensing abilities how amazing would that be, especially for people like our wounded troops. I myself believe that God is a master scientist and the pursuit of science can help us learn more about Him and how He creates.

      Report Post »  
    • Dootuz
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:44am

      Agree with GABRIEL5.

      Report Post »  
    • endgamer
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 7:02am

      For me, regenerating body parts would be the biggie. Anything synthetic and artificial can be rejected by the body including transplants. The best case scenario? Find the common denominator that would prevent organ transplants rejection without taking anti rejection drugs, like certain universal blood types. I believe that would be great science.

      Report Post » endgamer  
    • The10thAmendment
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 7:19am

      gabriel5
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:17am
      ——————————————————————————————-
      Man attempting to be God. None of this ever works out well.

      Bring on Frankenstein.

      Report Post » The10thAmendment  
    • The10thAmendment
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 8:16am

      endgamer
      Posted on October 26, 2011 at 7:02am
      —————————————————————————————————————————
      Man believes he can replace the moral codes of God and the Bible, with metaethical moral equivalence of another mans ideas. Darwin we know for certain was a fraud. Same with Stephan Jay Gould with their failed evolutionary empire nonsense coupled with ridiculous babbling from Freud and his brainless ilk.

      Here’s some interesting thoughts on this whole idea of parts building, and “correcting” of Gods work.

      http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/Golem.html

      When man decides to play Dr. Frankenstein, things will not turn out well. Man giving life to the beast is a no no.

      Report Post » The10thAmendment  

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