ISRAELI researchers have developed artificial electronic skin able to heal itself, the Israel Institute of Technology (Technion) said last week.

The invention, published in the journal Advanced Materials, has several attributes and capabilities, including selective sensing, water resistance, self-monitoring and self-healing.

It contains a sensory system composed of nanometric materials that selectively and simultaneously monitors various environmental variables such as pressure, temperature and acidity.

The skin’s self-healing system, inspired by the healing process of the human skin, consists of neuron-like components, that monitor damage to the electronic parts, and other components that accelerate the self-healing process.

This mechanism enables the smart electronic systems to self-monitor their activities and repair functional problems caused by mechanical damage.

The skin’s development is based on an innovative soft elastic waterproof polymer, also invented by the Technion team, and published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.

The team also used the new polymer to develop advanced sensors that are likely to be beneficial in the fields of robotics and prosthetics.(Xinhua)