Israeli Scientists Invent ‘Self-Healing’ Electronic Skin

JERUSALEM – Israeli scientists have developed a self-healing sensor that mimics the behavior of human skin, allowing the “skin” to heal itself in under a day, Israeli21c reported.

Researchers at the Technion Institute of Technology are using a synthetic polymer to develop a flexible sensor for artificial skin that will have a sense of touch in addition to the natural healing properties of real skin. These types of sensors are already being used in a variety of applications, including consumer electronics, robotics, healthcare, and space flight.

Prof. Hossam Haick, the scientist behind the NaNose cancer sensor, is leading this latest advancement in flexible sensor healing.

“The vulnerability of flexible sensors used in real-world applications calls for the development of self-healing properties similar to how human skin heals,” said Haick. “Accordingly, we have developed a complete, self-healing device in the form of a bendable and stretchable chemi-resistor where every part — no matter where the device is cut or scratched — is self-healing.”

Postdoctoral researcher Tan-Phat Huynh, whose expertise lies in developing self-healing electronic skin, is collaborating with Haick. “The self-healing sensor raises expectations that flexible devices might someday be self-administered,” said Huynh.

In the future, the sensors could potentially be incorporated into prostheses, allowing people with prosthetic limbs to actually feel the environment around them.