Works without a battery. Scientists have taught artificial skin to feel touch thanks to a revolutionary transistor
August 11, 12:00
Researchers from Hanyang University, led by Associate Professor Chekyun Kim, have developed a vertically integrated triboelectric transistor with two gates, which can serve as the basis for a new technology of artificial skin that operates without batteries. This device harnesses the triboelectric effect, enabling it to recognize touches and the proximity of objects by altering the current based on the action. The system's sensitivity is regulated by the lower gate, ensuring its effectiveness in various conditions.
The upper layer of the device consists of a triboelectric sensitive layer based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), beneath which is an insulator of the gate. Below this layer lies a thin-film transistor made from indium-tin-oxide. To activate the touch recognition mode, a stainless steel plate contacts the surface of the PDMS, forming a triboelectric charge. The system's sensitivity increases with higher voltage at the lower gate, and stronger pressure during contact increases the area of actual contact between the PDMS layer and the object, enhancing the charge and sensor response.
Characteristics and Potential of the New Technology
The response time of the new device is 127 milliseconds, while the recovery time is 212 milliseconds. After a thousand working cycles, the device's characteristics showed no significant degradation. The research team manufactured an array of transistors sized 10 by 10 elements that can recognize finger touches at the level of individual pixels and detect the proximity of a metal probe at distances up to 500 micrometers.
According to Associate Professor Chekyun Kim, 'Our vertical architecture with a dual gate not only allows for adjusting the amplification of the triboelectric response but also minimizes the size of each pixel, enabling tight integration of sensors over a large area.'
He also noted that 'Our development could contribute to the creation of electronic skin systems that will allow robots, prosthetics, and wearable electronics to perceive touch, pressure, and the proximity of objects more accurately.' This new technology has the potential for application in various fields, including:
- electronic skin
- robots
- prosthetics
- wearable electronics
- medical robots
- health monitoring systems
- autonomous technologies
The results of the research are published in the journal Nano Energy.
The development of battery-free artificial skin could significantly impact the advancement of technologies in robotics and medicine. With its sensitivity and quick response, the new transistor will enable the creation of more adaptive and functional devices that can interact with the surrounding environment. This, in turn, opens new possibilities for applications in rehabilitation, prosthetics, and autonomous systems. The technology could also accelerate the development of innovative solutions in the field of wearable electronics, enhancing their effectiveness and user convenience.
In addition to advancements in artificial skin technology, researchers are also exploring innovative methods for creating synthetic biological systems. For instance, a team at MIT is utilizing magnetic fields to develop artificial blood vessels, showcasing the potential of interdisciplinary approaches in regenerative medicine. To learn more about these groundbreaking efforts, check out how scientists are harnessing magnetism for vascular growth.