Stanford chemical engineer works on artificial skin that does most of what real skin can do.
The future of prosthetics may include artificial limbs with a sense of touch if a Stanford researcher's time in the lab pays off. Zhenan Bao, a chemical engineer at Stanford, is working to develop artificial skin that can do just about everything real skin can, according to an article from NPR, including heal itself.
Bao’s specially designed plastic skin reportedly contains a nano-scale pressure sensor and electrodes that turn touch signals into electric pulses. These signals are ideally transmitted to the brain, according to the article. To mimic skin’s self-healing properties, Bao's plastic skin can repair itself when torn. She and her colleagues have also developed a flexible plastic that stretches to eight times its original length and are working now on how to power their artificial skin, according to the article. Testing on patients is still some way off.
Many facilities handle dangerous processes and products on a daily basis. Keeping everything under control demands well-trained people working with the best equipment.
Enhance the training experience and increase retention by training hands-on in Emerson's Interactive Plant Environment. Build skills here so you have them where and when it matters...
See how Rosemount™ 625IR Fixed Gas Detector helps keep workers safe with ultra-fast response times to detect hydrocarbon gases before they can create dangerous situations.
