Transparent and water-resistant self-healing electronic skin

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Transparent and water-resistant self-healing electronic skin

  • March 19, 2019

A research team led by BIGHEART principal investigator Asst Prof Benjamin Tee has developed an electronic skin that is transparent, stretchable and self-healing – even under water – with a wide range of potential applications from water-resistant touchscreens to aquatic soft robots. 

If the electronic skin is cut into two, the two pieces can be put together and they will rejoin and regain electrical connectivity within hours, with no noticeable scars. 

“One of the challenges with many self-healing materials today is that they are not transparent and they do not work efficiently when wet,” Asst Prof Tee said. “These drawbacks make them less useful for electronic applications such as touchscreens which often need to be used in wet weather conditions.” 

Since it can heal itself, this novel material can also potentially help reduce millions of tonnes of electronic waste from broken mobile phones, tablets and other devices. 

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