So last week, scientists created a smart skin that mimics how humans feel pain. And now, another group of scientists have developed a living human skin that can be stretched, sweat and heal itself, just like real human skin!
A group of scientists from the University of Tokyo managed to develop a material that not only has a skin-like texture but can also repel water and “heal” itself with a collagen plaster. In order to create this skin-like material, they have to dip a robot finger into a solution of collagen and human dermal fibroblasts which are the two main components that make up the connective tissue in human skin. This is the closest researchers have made to having artificial skin being so skin-like.
However, more research is needed to increase the artificial skin’s strength and enable it to survive longer periods without nutrient supply and waste removal. The next step for scientists is to incorporate other skin features such as sensory neurons, hair follicles, nails and sweat glands. I guess in just a few more years, we’d be seeing robots on the streets with skin-like skin that can not only feel pain but have similar properties as us humans.
To watch the video of the research: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10900667/Scientists-create-living-human-skin-robots-stretch-repel-water-heal-itself.html#v-6218471316720141868
