With advancements in technology, robots are getting sharper and better, however, they still lack the ability to touch and feel their surroundings like human beings. In the revolutionary developments, researchers and scientists have now discovered a new substance, dubbed artificially innervated foam, or AiFoam which helps robots to hear and touch like humans.
The researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have compiled their work in an article titled ‘Artificially innervated self-healing foams as synthetic piezo-impedance sensor skins,’ published in the journal.
AiFoam enables robots to mimic the human sense of touch, sense nearby objects without actually touching and repair when damaged.
How is Aifoam Formed?
Aifoam is made by mixing fluoropolymer with a substance that reduces surface tension. The material is then integrated with very small metal particles that give the robot the feel of a human finger. In addition, copying the end of sensitive sensors on human skin, researchers set down electrodes under the foam surface that can detect the direction of applied energy.
Usage of E-Skin in various fields
The scientists who discovered the material found that its unique properties make it suitable for a wide range of applications in robotics, prosthetics, and health care. reflections.
“The e-skin is robust yet flexible and malleable and thus can find applications in robotics, prosthetics, and biomedical devices,” said the team in its study, which was published in trade journal Science Advances earlier this week.
The material could allow robots to experience human sensations
The E-Skin is made from a polymer network named polyamine, which has been combined with silver nanoparticles that provide it with both strength and electrical conductivity.
To repair the skin, the material is soaked in a solution that degrades polymers down and separates the nanoparticles into oligomers and monomers – small molecules – that are soluble in ethanol.
What does not all imply?
This means that robots can be made smarter and more responsive to the same techniques and materials.
Scientists have discovered something that changes the game in this process: Not only has the robotic hand been able to process the amount of energy, but also the direction of any force used.
According to Tee, AiFoam is the first of its kind because it combines livelihood and distance features and the ability to feel pressure.