Advancements in electronic skin and tactile technology

Research into biomimetic tactile technologies has progressed through various applications, including electronic skin and smart textiles.

At the National University of Singapore, researchers led by Professor Lim Chwee Teck developed the ‘eLuminator’, an ultrathin device that converts pressure into visible light patterns to visualize contact magnitude and shape.

Furthering smart textile development, a team led by Professor Tural Khudiyev at the National University of Singapore has created a prototype for clothing that functions as a touchscreen. This method integrates electronic components directly into the fibers rather than attaching screens to garments. The team developed digital pixel fibers, approximately 1mm thick, which contain micro-LED chips, electrical connections, and touch-sensing layers. By weaving 54 of these fibers into a sleeve, the researchers achieved a display resolution of 96 by 54 pixels. The prototype can display photos, videos, and interfaces for tools like calculators or compasses, as well as body temperature readings. Laboratory tests published in the journal Nature indicate the technology is durable, maintaining brightness and touch functionality after 50 machine wash cycles and 1,000 bending cycles. While the current prototype requires external batteries and control circuits, it suggests future uses in medical monitoring and athletic data tracking.

Other developments include work at Aarhus University on sensors that mimic biological sensory cells by using the movement of charged atoms to generate signals. This method aims to provide natural feedback and could potentially allow sensors to connect directly to the nervous system for prosthetic users.