Amplified touch - Uno newspaper

Photo: agencies

BBC World

A second skin with electrodes of gold to increase our sense of touch is what American scientists making use of the latest advances in nanotechnology have been developed.

The team of researchers from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, United States, presented in the journal Science and Medecine IOPS a rubber finger with sensors that allows wearer best accurately calibrate factors such as temperature, pressure, or thickness of a material.

In a principi, it is believed that the invention could be very useful for surgeons, but in the future could pave the way towards the manufacture of devices that allow us to have a sense of "virtual touch".

Gold Nano-electrodes
The artificial finger is done with silicone rubber that was connected with a flexible circuit with polyamide sheets. The inside of these films were a few fine gold electrodes and abroad placed sensors that regulate the amplified feeling of touch.

As explained by the scientists, when the person is placed on the finger note a tickling sensation caused by small electrical currents that are regulated by these sensors depending on the material that is touched.

This electrical system, they explained, feeds on the energy provided by a battery attached to the wrist of the user.

Virtual touch
According to the work, the idea of using modulated electrical stimulation to optimize our skin sensations is not new.

The first studies were developed in the 1950s, and during the 1970s explored the possibility of applying in the development of devices and screens for people with visual disabilities.

But the latest advances in the field of sensors and flexible electronic systems, has allowed the development of Adaptive electronic devices and non-invasive.

MC10, American company in charge of commercializing this technology now works in conjunction with the signature Medronic to develop a system that enables to position this second skin on the inside of the walls of the corazónpara monitor its operation, especially for people with irregular heartbeat.

Also moved MC10 is working with the Reebok Sports company in a product that would be released at end of year.

that horror! except in a serious case (burn etc) in 30 years will be half human half robot.THANK YOU FOR REGISTERING. You can now write your comments.

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