In the US, physicists have developed ultra-flexible material that able to heal scratches and cuts on its own, and can also recognize touch. 
Photos from open sources As its creators, the material can be used as a basis for synthetic leather. “Before our work, it was hard to even imagine that we could to create such a flexible and well-conductive material, able to heal cuts and scratches. Fresh cut healed on this skin in a few seconds. Even human skin heals behind a few days. In general, I think it’s very cool, ” Stanford University School of Engineering (USA). A group of physicists led by Zhenan Bao from Stanford University has been trying to reproduce key skin properties – flexibility, strength, high sensitivity and ability to heal injuries – in artificial material. In the new the authors of the article decided to “teach” artificial skin themselves the complex property of her living progenitor – the ability to self-medication. Bao and her colleagues solved these problems with two key components – a special hydrocarbon polymer and nickel nanopowder. According to scientists, hydrocarbon chains have several useful properties at once – they are very flexible and mobile in nature, which is necessary for self-medication of the skin, and also conduct electricity well. Scientists made a thin sheet of a mixture of polymer and nickel nanoparticles and checked how he will respond to cuts. The study found that material can independently heal wounds in almost a few seconds after squeezing its sides. Full wound heals after 30 seconds. Bao and her colleagues believe that a new version of synthetic leather will “feel” even then slight pressure that occurs when shaking hands. Researchers believe their invention will attract attention doctors and other scientists developing prostheses of legs and arms, in in the nearest future. According to them, the scope of this material not limited to this – a transparent and stretchable version of the skin can be adapted to work as a sensor for screens mobile devices and other equipment. Recall in July of the current years, engineers created a sensitive touch sensor that able to distinguish between pressure, shear and torsion.
USA
