New 'electronic skin' may allow robots to camouflage instantly

Researchers at Stanford University have developed an extensible tissue type that can change color and react to the pressure applied to it - as close as we've ever come to artificial chameleon skin. Possible applications of the e-skin flame include wearable devices, prosthetics and even intelligent robots that can better respond to changes in pressure and temperature.

By applying varying forces to the electronic skin, the chemical structure of its constituent polymer changes and causes it to change color, allowing the pressure exerted on the surface to be measured more accurately. In addition to cosmetic utilities for wearable and mobile devices, researcher Ho-Hsiu Chou says the news could be useful for smart prosthetics, exoskeletons and even robots.

The invention consists of two distinct main materials. The first is a microstructured flexible polymer that can emit varying voltages according to the force to which it is subjected. The second, in turn, is an electrochromic polymer that can display red or blue colors, depending on the voltage to which it is subjected. Other tones may be added as the technology is enhanced.

Colorful future

Materials with similar abilities have been created before - learn more by clicking here - but the fact that e-skin is extensible and mimics organic matter considerably expands its range of possibilities. According to Chou, it is possible that in the future the invention may even be used to provide camouflage functions for the above mentioned devices.

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Via TecMundo.