--- title: "Artificial “Electronic Skin” Could Warn Humans of Impending Danger" description: "Researchers developed artificial skin that could give its wearer — robotic or human — superhuman capabilities like sensing strong magnetic fields." date: "2019-02-02" modified: "2019-02-02" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/neoscope/artificial-electronic-skin-could-alert-danger" categories: - "Health & Medicine" tags: - "amputee" - "artificial skin" - "elecromagnetic" --- # Artificial “Electronic Skin” Could Warn Humans of Impending Danger ![Researchers developed artificial skin that could give its wearer — robotic or human — superhuman capabilities like sensing strong magnetic fields.]() *\Image: Marvel\* ## Electronic Skin Researchers at the University of Connecticut and University of Toronto have [developed artificial skin]() that could give its wearer — robotic or human — superhuman capabilities. The stretchable skin is equipped with multifunctional sensors that could sense a strong magnetic field or changes in pressure. Their [research was published]() in the journal *Advanced Materials* earlier this week. "It is a new group of smart wearable electronics that are flexible, stretchable, shapable, and possess unique sensing capabilities that mimic human skin," postdoctoral fellow at UConn Islam Mosa [told Digital Trends](). But it could also go beyond merely mimicking human skin. "It would be very cool if it had abilities human skin does not; for example, the ability to detect magnetic fields, sound waves, and abnormal behaviors," Mosa [told *Science Daily*](). ## Watch out Spider-Man! The artificial skin could have a number of uses: for instance it could assist during the disposal of hazardous materials, robotic search and rescue missions or even help with remote health care monitoring. It could even give back amputees and burn victims a degree of feeling. The wearable uses a "multimodal ferrofluid‐based triboelectric nanogenerator" (FO-TENG) that's essentially an elastic silicone nanotube filled with ferrofluid — a type of iron oxide nanoparticle fluid that can react to magnetic fields. The tube is wrapped with copper wire to allow electrical signals to be sent through it. ## Nanotube Skin The skin has "excellent waterproof ability, conformability, and stretchability" according to the paper, and could hold its shape for years. But it's not exactly flat like skin yet. The team of researchers still have to find a way to bring down the profile of their tubular prototype so it can act more like a skin. Pending approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the researchers are hoping to bring their futuristic skin to market in a matter of years. **READ MORE:** [Artificial ‘superhuman’ skin could help burn victims, amputees ‘feel’ again]() \[*Digital Trends*\] ***More on artificial skin: [Electronic Skin Lets Amputees Feel Pain Through Their Prosthetics]()*** ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()