Fake Skin (Plastic Skin) That Heals and Feels!

Scientists have come up with a plastic polymer skin that mimics at least two of the properties of our own real skin. It feels, and it can repair itself. Another one right out of the realm of SF has come to fruition. Science is amazing.



SOURCE

Conjecture - Won't be long now until the first bladerunner comes off the assembly line, because the 'skins' have begun a rebellion to be treated equally with humans...

In the last decade, there have been major advances in creating synthetic skin — the scientific quest for "Terminator"-type self-healing materials has been many a researcher's mission. Some of the earlier attempts required impractical high temperatures for self-healing to occur. Others could repair themselves at room temperature, but only once. And importantly, all previous self-healing materials lacked the crucial property of being able to conduct electricity, which is required for sensing and interfacing.

But now, Stanford chemical engineering professor Zhenan Bao and her team have come up with a design that offers both the self-healing ability of a plastic polymer and the conductivity of a metal. The secret? A plastic consisting of long-chain molecules joined by hydrogen bonds, to which nanoscale particles of nickel were added for conductivity and increased mechanical strength.

The result was a polymer with unusual characteristics: the sci-fi ability to repair itself, along with flexibility, conductivity and, for those of you who are tactile-minded, the feel of saltwater taffy.

The molecules easily break apart, but when they reconnect, the bonds reorganize themselves and restore the structure to the pre-break state. The researchers tested the material by cutting a strip of it in half, and then gently pressing it back together. After a few seconds the material returned to 75 percent of its original strength and electrical conductivity. After 30 minutes the material was restored to 100 percent. They repeated the process 50 times, each time it returned to normal. "Even human skin takes days to heal. So I think this is quite cool," said Benjamin Chee-Keong Tee, first author of the paper.

Me too. Way way cool. Science = cool.

Im replying because your very interesting little topic has sadly been overlooked. This happens on ats sometimes doesnt it, anyway , just thought id give u a little bump

reply to post by Tallone


An F&S& bump from me too. ...I suspect we're well on the way to "transhumanism" - at least for the very, very filthy rich and ultra- uber wealthy.

Transhumanism takes a multidisciplinary approach in analyzing the dynamic interplay between humanity and the acceleration of technology. In this sphere, much of our focus is on the development and ethical use of biotechnology, nanotechnology and artificial general intelligence. Our theoretical interests focus on posthuman topics of the singularity, extinction risk, and mind uploading. Many of these ideas are contemplated in books and other publications produced at Humanity+ Press.

Also see: Top Ten Transhumanist Technologies

reply to post by thedoctorswife

Thank you


I think the story to be truely amazing. Think what this could mean to burn victims who are permanently disfigured with scar tissue. Of course you would be thinking along those lines already given your avatar

reply to post by soficrow

Originally posted by soficrow
reply to post by Tallone

 

An F&S& bump from me too. ...I suspect we're well on the way to "transhumanism" - at least for the very, very filthy rich and ultra- uber wealthy.

I think you may be right on both counts. Only need to look at the well preserved senators in the Whitehouse to know some of these 65+year olds are getting regular shots of something. They don't exactly resemble a cross section of the population we see everyday do they?

It's so amazing I don't even really know how to comment. It can totally heal itself in under 30 minutes? Wow.

I've always wanted a pair of gloves that you could still feel through so you didn't have to take the glove off. Looks like my wait is almost up!

As mentioned earlier, maybe burn victims could wear this until their skin grows back? I hope so.

As long as this isn't priced out of practicality this could change some things.

reply to post by TheLieWeLive

Yes, I think the applications for this are pretty diverse. From the fanciful idea of android prototypes to the more immediate needs in medicine, particularly for burn patients.

What about the advantage of being able to feel textures and temperature, as skin does, but via gloves as part of protective suits in adverse environments where touch can be so important, such as dive suits, space suits.

Ahhh, then too, on a whole different (base) level, I guess the porn industry could find uses for the those skin-like properties.

The mind boggles.

reply to post by Tallone


I agree. It has been overlooked.
SnF 2.

Great find.

So... I have to ask the obvious....

Will it be possible to replace my own skin with this stuff!?

If so, just shut up and take my money, Dr. Zhenan Bao.

reply to post by Tallone


Like the lie we live and the DRs wife say this is over looked and i too have bumped it.

S+F off me

Just think false limbs with the fake skin so they can feel ,WOW factor

thanks for this thread OP.

reply to post by maryhinge


Im wondering how well tolerated this engineered skin is when attached to the human body, then again, how it is attached? sewn?

That was the first thing I thought of, but other than that, this is awesome.

Im wondering how well tolerated this engineered skin is when attached to the human body, then again, how it is attached? sewn?

reply to post by sicksonezer0

very good thinking there
they would have to be linked to the nervous system wouldnt they ?

This is pretty cool!

I wonder if it could be used to repair the Sun damage on my arms and hands?

My skin has gotten really thin and bruises and tears really easy...

In the words of a famous Rolling stones song, "What a drag it is getting old"....

reply to post by Tallone

very nice find, but when it will become business, only rich guys will be able to afford it, and i hope it will work for the burn victims, some how i am smelling CYBORGS, in near future, may be now finally i can clone my self

Originally posted by Tallone
Scientists have come up with a plastic polymer skin that mimics at least two of the properties of our own real skin. It feels, and it can repair itself. Another one right out of the realm of SF has come to fruition. Science is amazing.

it got to have some side effects, would you like to mention those ? waiting

edit on 18-11-2012 by CoolNamesWereTaken because: spelling mistake

reply to post by Tallone


what about the side effects ?

God I love science.

SCIENCE! MOTHER F****AS!



Ahhh. I just feel like running to the top of a building and screaming it. Give it a few more years until we get a bit better at widespread strong AI techniques, and improved human-machine interactive programs, emotion emulation, brain simulation, and psychology, and we will soon see the first fully functioning robotic human emerge, capable of making it's own decisions, capable of making extremely intellectual decisions and even capable of learning and improving itself all the same.

What a wonderful, frightening, thrilling, sad, and intellectual era we live in. Our forefathers wouldn't know whether to be proud of what we've become or facepalm for an eternity!

Originally posted by CoolNamesWereTaken
reply to post by Tallone

 

what about the side effects ?

I don't believe it's meant for humans, although it could server as a better alternative to skin grafting, we'll just have to wait and see how they improve upon it.

So, why are we helping Skynet perfect Terminators before she and her minions are created?... J/K!

This is pretty cool. The applications for this tech will help a lot of victims. And, it may help the intelligence industry to create the perfect disguises.

reply to post by CoolNamesWereTaken

Side effects? I am not doing the experimentation and the article doesn't say. With medicine, usually with any drug that has a degree of toxicity, and I am sure with all surgical procedures there will be side effects to be taken into consideration, by both doctors and patients.