Scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have created electronic skin that is sensitive enough to record changes in the direction of the wind, falling drops and movement of ants.
Scientists published a paper on their achievements in the journal Science Robotics, which described the technology of electronic skin and its possible application.
The new skin is capable of detecting minor changes in pressure and converting this information into impulses. Scientists have covered the magnetic sensors with a hollow polymer membrane, and then built in the magnetic beads in its upper part. At the pressure, the membrane is pressed, which causes the built-in beads to 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 pressure, which "felt" the skin.
The researchers created an artificial finger covered with electronic skin, and attached it to an artificial test arm. They report that the skin they created could generate impulses in response to even the slight pressure exerted on it by ants running across the surface. She also was able to record changes in wind speed and the difference in the size of the drops of water falling on her.
Engineers report that in some cases, electronic skin recorded changes in pressure even better than human. They believe that development can become useful in robotics and improve the performance of artificial limbs.
