A synthetic skin powered by solar energy

June 08, 2019

The latest innovations about smart health in terms of artificial skin and prostheses are always more realistic and more functional. But these new possibilities are always demanding more energy. Researchers from the University of Glasgow may have found a solution. They have developed artificial skin that works with solar energy.

Researchers from the University of Glasgow in Scotland have invented a synthetic skin that can be used for prostheses. This innovation is able to autonomously charge itself with solar energy.

Recycle the energy of the sun to feed the synthetic skin of the prosthetic limbs. The project that sprouted in the minds of engineers from the University of Glasgow, Scotland is about to become a reality. The team had already developed an electronic skin based on graphene, a very resistant material, to cover hand prostheses. This time the innovation is pushed even further with this synthetic skin with solar energy. The new method exploits again the physical properties of graphene able to harvest the energy of the sun and to feed the synthetic skin.

Graphene is a highly flexible material made of graphite (a variety of carbon) as strong as steel although it is composed of only one atom. His other assets that interest the Scottish university come from the fact that Graphene is transparent and electrically conductive.

98% of solar energy passes through this synthetic skin

The latest innovations in artificial skin make it possible to reproduce the sensation of touch. But it requires large amounts of energy. Until then, external batteries were needed. Dr. Ravinder Dahiya from the University of Glasgow’s School of Engineering explains: “The real challenge was how to put skin above the photovoltaic sensors while letting the light through. That’s what we managed to do. “

98% of the light that passes through the skin reaches the photo-voltaic cells. A feat possible thanks to the material used. This skin is made of graphene, a material 1 million times thinner than paper and the most durable material in the world. According to the team, this source of energy could significantly increase the sensitivity of artificial skins to touch or heat. For now, two challenges are still waiting for Dr. Ravinder Dahiya and his team. First, make the prosthesis complete lighter. Then, succeed in making all of it work thanks to solar energy and not just artificial skin. They hope to make significant progress in the next two years.

Ongoing revolution in prosthetics and artificial skin market

The complete universe of prostheses and artificial skin is experiencing in recent years thanks to new technologies a real revolution. Some models are now able to convey the sensation of touch. Possible innovations thanks to a mix of sensors in the arm and electrodes installed in the human brain. This was done in particular by the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) in 2015. At the same time, in Japan, scientists have developed an artificial skin reproducing the real skin at unexpected levels. This allowed the growth of hair, hair and even the appearance of sweat glands.