Researchers develop silicone pressure sensors that can be printed in 3D on the human hand
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There, material scientist Michael McAlpine led a group of researchers who developed pressure sensors that can be printed directly on human hands in 3D, potentially providing physicians, soldiers, and even burn victims with electronic talent perception capabilities.
A 3D print sensor made of soft, elastic silicone has been tested on artificial hands, but all indications indicate that the device is compatible with real human fingertips. "It lays the foundation for future work directly on the human body in 3D printed electronics," said McAlpine.
McAlpine said: "The 3D printing sensors can be used for a wide range of applications, from military operations to surgery. Perhaps most importantly, they can be manufactured without clean rooms or other expensive equipment."
McAlpine said: "You can print electronic products directly at the site and use things that are carried in backpacks. In the future, compact and compact 3D printers are common. With raw materials alone, you can basically do any type of device. But this is a The complete paradigm shift has not been achieved before."
Researchers say that they can print out these sensors when they need it, even if they are less than ideal, they can provide humans with the next level of competence. For example, a soldier at the scene can print a bomb detection sensor or medical device to help an injured comrade and integrate the technology into his body.
Because these sensors are a flexible silicone material for 3D printing, devices equipped with futuristic sensors can be applied directly to the skin. This can be accomplished by scanning the wearer's hand to detect the contours and identifying where the printed material needs to be placed.
The sensing component of the device will consist of a coil sandwiched between two flat 4mm layers of silicon wafer material. The silica gel must be set before use to contain many tiny silver particles that allow current to flow. The coil contains less, but it conducts electricity when it is compressed (by pressing with a fingertip).
The sensor can determine your pressing pressure by measuring the passing current, and even can measure the human pulse.
According to researchers, the possibilities for the future of this technology are very exciting.
McAlpine believes that a more advanced version of the 3D printing sensor can be printed to the tip of the surgical tool, basically allowing the surgeon to expand the bionic "fingertip", which will give greater control during the surgery.
If connected to a neural feedback system, it can even provide users with enhanced touch. For example, this may help those who have lost their senses through skin lesions.
These are interesting uses for 3D printed silicone devices, but there are still some issues that need to be resolved before they are implemented. Fortunately, researchers are trying to overcome one of the biggest technical obstacles: the inevitable movement of manpower. With a 3D printer, it enables printing on a moving surface. Of course, these measures will make the technology more feasible, especially in non-laboratory conditions.
McAlpine said: "This study can be used for 3D printing integrated devices that contain multiple sensors, power supplies, and other gadgets."
It is reported that this research has been published in Advanced Materials.
(Original title: The researchers developed a silicone pressure sensor that can be printed in 3D on the human hand)