This Artificial Skin Can Heal Itself Like Real One

Manmade flesh is getting closer to possessing the properties of the real ones. Some Australian scientists claimed that they have created a jelly-like structure that is as durable and strong as actual skin or even bones.

According to Luke Connal, a chemist from the Australian National University, the artificial skin can even heal itself when damaged like that of living creatures, thanks to the special chemicals added to the hydrogel.

The normal hydrogel is fragile and weak but what the team created is believed to be much stronger and even has the flexibility of the real muscles.

Artificial skin with these properties can pave the way for the making of more human-like next-generation robots and some biomedical devices. Before this invention, scientists have faced several obstacles creating a flexible substance that can work like human skin. They have taken clues from nature like Venus flytraps, jellyfish, and sea cucumbers.

So far, what we have are hydrogels that can stay intact under mechanical stress, some others can heal themselves, and some are capable of shape –memorization or color-changing.

It was not until experts of the ANU announced their invention that we have the chance to see these properties on one substance.

The material has been tested several times and the results make the experts believe that they have successfully created a substance that is tough and strong, all while being able to heal itself, resist fatigue, as well as remember the changes.

Unlike other similar hydrogels that may take around 10 minutes to change their shapes, that of the ANU takes only 10 seconds to do so. One of the best parts of this invention is that creating these hydrogels is easy with simple chemicals. The artificial skin can also serve as the base on which we can add more polymers for added functionalities.