Technology has been steadily improving human life, making it easier, more convenient, and helping to improve health and safety of all humans. But new developments this year are taking emerging tech to a whole new level, and your skin could be the next target. Let’s take a look at some crazy enhancements to the outer layer of our bodies.
The first development comes from the University of Tokyo, where Takao Someya and his research team developed an “e-skin” that is ten times thinner than normal skin, can be worn like a temporary tattoo, flexes along with your body, and even has the potential to monitor your health and heart rate. The goal of this development was to create a layer of skin that was nearly indestructible and could perform functions that normal human and animal skin is incapable of.
Another step forward in technologic skin is mainly for prosthetics and smart textiles, but it is a self-repairing skin that uses “dynamic covalent thermoset nanocomposite” to repair itself when damaged. Additionally, another form of e-skin has been designed specifically to restore feeling to people who have had a limb replaced with a prosthetic. This research development connects with the neurons in the brain that produce the senses of touch and the feelings of pain so that feeling can be restored to those who have lost their senses.
A skin revolution is on its way as new technologies break the mold and enhance what the human body can do. Let’s hope science doesn’t go too far, though, and go all Terminator on us.
