Stanford researcher Zhenan Bao is looking to ways of creating what is known as "super skin". She has already developed one type of these solar cells but is looking to make new ones that aren't only flexible, but also stretchable. The super skin is a flexible organic transistor made with polymers and carbon-based materials and is run on the sun's energy. For the skin to have the sensation of touch it contains a thin elastic rubber layer that is molded into a grid of tiny inverted pyramids. To further the use of these super skins, Bao's research team is looking for ways of detecting protein biomarkers, which would allow them to diagnose a disease. This method would also allow researchers to detect chemicals in vapor or liquid substances. Bao not only sees this super skin as working for humans, but also for robots in which they could do things beyond what human skin could do.
See: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110223204123.htm
Posted by Kelsey Hager
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This is very interesting! It seems as this could be very beneficial in the future.
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