A

Technical Seminar report on

SOLAR TREE

In partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY

In

Electronics & Communication Engineering

By
SANA BEGUM 15E31A0444
Under the guidance of
Dr.Sandhya Rani
Dr.Guneshekar Rao

Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering

MAHAVEER INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

(Affiliated to JNTU Hyderabad, Approved by AICTE)

Vyasapuri, Bandlaguda, Post: Keshavgiri, Hyderabad-500005

2019
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It is indeed a great pleasure and immense satisfaction for us to express our

deep sense of gratitude Section-A Technical Seminar Co-ordinator Dr.
Sandhya Rani, and Dr Gunashekar Rao Associate Professor in Electronics
and Communication Engineering department, for their guidance in the
completion of the project.

We convey our sincere gratitude to Dr. Jaspal Kumar, Professor and Head
of the department of Electronics and Communication Engineering for his
encouragement in completion of the project.

It is our privilege to express our sincere thanks to Dr.K.S.S.S.N.Reddy

principal, MIST for extending support and for providing necessary
infrastructure and for permitting us to do the project work in our college.

We also express our sincere thanks to the Management of Mahaveer Institute

of Science and Technology for their support in completing this project in the
Institution.

SANA BEGUM 15E31A0444

 Declaration

I hereby declare that this project entitled “FLEXIBLE ELECTRONIC SKIN “submitted to
the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, MAHAVEER INSTITUTE OF
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (affiliated to JNTU), Hyderabad, as a partial fulfillment for the
award of B.Tech (ECE) degree. The results presented in this have been verified and are found to
be satisfactory. The results embodied in the dissertation have not been submitted to any other
institution for the award of any degree.

Abstract

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and can sense pressure, temperature, and
other complex environmental stimuli or conditions. The mimicry of human skin's sensory ability
via electronics is a topic of innovative research that could find broad applications in robotics,
artificial intelligence, and human–machine interfaces, all of which promote the development of
electronic skin (e-skin). To imitate tactile sensing via e-skins, flexible and stretchable pressure
sensor arrays are constructed based on different transduction mechanisms and structural designs.
These arrays can map pressure with high resolution and rapid response beyond that of human
perception. Multi-modal force sensing, temperature, and humidity detection, as well as self-healing
abilities are also exploited for multi-functional e-skins. Other recent progress in this field includes
the integration with high-density flexible circuits for signal processing, the combination with
wireless technology for convenient sensing and energy/data transfer, and the development of
selfpowered e-skins. Future opportunities lie in the fabrication of highly intelligent e-skins that can
sense and respond to variations in the external environment. The rapidly increasing innovations in
this area will be important to the scientific community and to the future of human life.

Contents

1. Introduction

2. What is electronic skin

3. History
4. Fabrication of E-SKIN
 a) By using zinc oxide with vertical nanowires
b) By using Gallium Indium
c) By using Organic Transistors
d) By Organic Light Emitting Diode
5. Architecture of E-SKIN
6. Rehealable Electronic Skin
a) Polymer-based materials
b) Hybrid materials
7. Flexible and Stretchy Electronic Skin
8. Conductive Electronic Skin
9. Sensing Ability Of Electronic Skin
a) Tactile Sensors
b) Other Sensing Applications
10. Structure of E-SKIN
11. How display is converted into E-SKIN
12. Advantages
13. Disadvantages
14. Features
15. Applications
16. Future Scope
17. Conclusion
Figures
1. By using zinc oxide with verticals nanowires
2. E-Skin by using Gallium Indium
3. E-Skin by using organic transistors
4. By Organic Light Emitting Diode
 5. Polymerization scheme for formation of polyimine-based self-healing electronic
skin.

6. Self-healing material based on hydrogen bonding and interactions with micro-

structured nickel particles.

7. A stretchable and self-healing semiconducting polymer-based material.

8. Structure of E-SKIN.

1. Introduction

Electronic skin refers to flexible, stretchable and self-healing electronics that are able to
mimic functionalities of human or animal skin. The broad class of materials often contain sensing
abilities that are intended to reproduce the capabilities of human skin to respond to environmental
factors such as changes in heat and pressure.
 Advances in electronic skin research focuses on designing materials that are stretchy,
robust, and flexible. Research in the individual fields of flexible electronics and tactile sensing has
progressed greatly; however, electronic skin design attempts to bring together advances in many
areas of materials research without sacrificing individual benefits from each field.

The successful combination of flexible and stretchable mechanical properties with sensors
and the ability to self-heal would open the door to many possible applications including soft
robotics, prosthetics, artificial intelligence and health monitoring.

Recent advances in the field of electronic skin have focused on incorporating green
materials ideals and environmental awareness into the design process. As one of the main
challenges facing electronic skin development is the ability of the material to withstand mechanical
strain and maintain sensing ability or electronic properties, recyclability and selfhealing properties
are especially critical in the future design of new electronic skins.

2. What is Electronic Skin

Electronics plays a very important role in developing simple devices used for any
purpose. In every field electronic equipment are required. The best achievement as well as future
example of integrated electronics in medical field is Artificial Skin.
 It is ultrathin electronics device attaches to the skin like a sick on tattoo which can
measure electrical activity of heart, brain waves & other vital signals. Evolution in robotics is
demanding increased perception of the environment. Human skin provides sensory perception
of temperature, touch/pressure, and air flow. Goal is to develop sensors on flexible substrates
that are compliant to curved surfaces.

Researcher’s objective is for making an artificial skin is to make a revolutionary change in

robotics, in medical field, in flexible electronics. Skin is large organ in human body so artificial
skin replaces it according to our need. Main objective of artificial skin is to sense heat, pressure,
touch, airflow and whatever which human skin sense. It is replacement for prosthetic limbs and
robotic arms.

Artificial skin is skin grown in a laboratory. There are various names of artificial skin in
biomedical field it is called as artificial skin, in our electronics field it is called as electronic skin,
some scientist it called as sensitive skin, in other way it also called as synthetic skin, some people
says that it is fake skin. Such different names are available but application is same it is skin
replacement for people who have suffered skin trauma, such as severe burns or skin diseases, or
robotic applications & so on.

An artificial skin has also been recently demonstrated at the University of Cincinnati for in-
vitro sweat simulation and testing, capable of skin-like texture, wetting, sweat pore density, and
sweat rates.

3. History

Electronic skin or e-skin is a thin material designed to mimic human skin by recognizing
pressure and temperature. In September 2010, Javey and the University of California, Berkeley
developed a method of attaching nanowire transistors and pressure sensors to a sticky plastic film.
In August 2011, Massachusetts-based MC10 created an electronic patch for monitoring patient's
vital health signs which was described as 'electric skin'.

The 'tattoos' were created by embedding sensors in a thin film. During tests, the device
stayed in place for 24 hours and was flexible enough to move with the skin it was placed on. Javey's
latest electronic skin lights up when touched. Pressure triggers a reaction that lights up blue, green,
red, and yellow LEDs and as pressure increases the lights get brighter. Artificial skin identified by
different name in a same way it is developed in different laboratories such as in MIT (Massatucetes
institute of technology), in Tokyo led by Takao Someya, The Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial
Engineering and Biotechnology, and so on.

In this report we see the different methods of manufacturing of artificial skin of different
scientist & its application with its future scope. Another form of ―artificial skin‖ has been created
out of flexible semiconductor materials that can sense touch for those with prosthetic limbs. The
artificial skin is anticipated to augment robotics in conducting rudimentary jobs that would be
considered delicate and require sensitive ―touch‖. Scientists found that by applying a layer of
rubber with two parallel electrodes that stored electrical charges inside of the artificial skin, tiny
amounts of pressure could be detected.

When pressure is exerted, the electrical charge in the rubber is changed and the change is
detected by the electrodes. However, the film is so small that when pressure is applied to the skin,
the molecules have nowhere to move and become entangled. The molecules also fail to return to
their original shape when the pressure is removed.

Sensitive skin, also known as sensate skin, is an electronic sensing skin placed on the surface
of a machine such as a robotic arm. The goal of the skin is to sense important environmental
parameters—such as proximity to objects, heat, moisture, and direct touch sensations. Examples of
a sensitive skin have been made by a group in Tokyo led by Takao Someya.

4. Fabrication of E-SKIN

a) By using zinc oxide with vertical nanowires

 Figure1: By using zinc oxide with verticals nanowires

U.S. and Chinese Scientists used zinc oxide vertical nanowires to generate sensitivity.
According to experts, the artificial skin is "smarter and similar to human skin." It also offers greater
sensitivity and resolution than current commercially available techniques.

A group of Chinese and American scientists created experimental sensors to give robots
artificial skin capable of feeling. According to experts, the sensitivity is comparable to that
experienced by humans.

Trying to replicate the body's senses and indeed its largest organ, the skin, has been no mean
feat but the need for such a substitute has been needed for a while now, especially in cases of those
to whom skin grafts have not worked or indeed its use in robotics.

To achieve this sensitivity, researchers created a sort of flexible that are controlled
electronically, the creators explained.

"Any mechanical movement, like the movement of an arm or fingers of a robot, can be
converted into control signals," the Professor Georgia Institute of Technology (USA), Zhong Lin
Wang. This technology "could make smarter artificial skin similar to human skin," said Zhong,
after stating that it provides greater sensitivity and resolution.
 The system is based on piezoelectricity, a phenomenon that occurs when materials such as
zinc oxide are pressed. Changes in the electrical polarization of the mass can be captured and
translated into electrical signals thereby creating an artificial touch feeling.

b. By using Gallium Indium

 Figure2: E-Skin by using Gallium Indium

The development of highly deformable artificial skin with contact force (or pressure) and
strain sensing capabilities is a critical technology to the areas of wearable computing, haptic
interfaces, and tactile sensing in robotics.

With tactile sensing, robots are expected to work more autonomously and be more
responsive to unexpected contacts by detecting contact forces during activities such as manipulation
and assembly.

Application areas include haptics humanoid robotics, and medical robotics. We describe the
design, fabrication, and calibration of a highly compliant artificial skin sensor. The sensor consists
of multilayered mircochannels in an elastomer matrix filled with a conductive liquid, capable of
detecting multiaxis strains and contact pressure.

A novel manufacturing method comprised of layered molding and casting processes is

demonstrated to fabricate the multilayered soft sensor circuit. Silicone rubber layers with channel
patterns, cast with 3-D printed molds, are bonded to create embedded microchannels, and a conductive
liquid is injected into the microchannels.
 The channel dimensions are 200 μm (width) × 300 μm (height). The size of the sensor is 25
mm × 25 mm, and the thickness is approximately 3.5 mm. The prototype is tested with a materials
tester and showed linearity in strain sensing and nonlinearity in pressure sensing. The sensor signal
is repeatable in both cases. The characteristic modulus of the skin prototype is approximately 63
kPa.

The sensor is functional up to strains of approximately 250% A highly elastic artificial skin
was developed using an embedded liquid conductor. Three hyper-elastic silicon rubber layers with
embedded microchannels were stacked and bonded. The three layers contain different channel
patterns for different types of sensing such as multi-axial strain and contact pressure.

A novel manufacturing method with layered molding and casting techniques was developed
to build a multi-layered soft sensor circuit. For strain sensing, the calibration results showed linear
and repeatable sensor signal. The gauge factors of the skin prototype are 3.93 and 3.81 in x and y
axes, respectively, and the minimum detectable displacements are 1.5 mm in xaxis and 1.6 mm in
y-axis.

For pressure sensing, the prototype showed repeatable but not linear sensor signals. The
hysteresis level was high in a high pressure range (over 25 kPa). The sensor signal was repeatable
in both cases.

C. By using Organic Transistors:

 Figure3: E-Skin by using organic transistors

By Nature Journal

In July they reported the success of our experiments in the journal Nature. They fabricated
organic transistors and tactile sensors on an ultrathin polymer sheet that measured 1 micrometer
thick—one-tenth the thickness of plastic wrap and light enough to drift through the air like a feather.

This material can withstand repeated bending, crumple like paper, and accommodate
stretching of up to 230 percent. What’s more, it works at high temperatures and in aqueous
environments—even in saline solutions, meaning that it can function inside the human body.

Flexible electronics using organic transistors could serve a range of biomedical applications.

For example, they’ve experimented with electromyography, the monitoring and recording
of electrical activity produced by muscles. For this system, they distributed organic transistorbased
amplifiers throughout a 2-μm-thick film.

This allowed us to detect muscle signals very close to the source, which is key to improving
the signal-to-noise ratio, and thus the accuracy of the measurements. Conventional techniques
typically use long wires to connect sensors on the skin with amplifier circuits, which results in a
pretty abysmal signal-to-noise ratio. And they can imagine more medically urgent applications of
such a system.

In collaboration with the medical school at the University of Tokyo, we’re working on an
experiment that will place our amplifier matrix directly on the surface of an animal’s heart. By
detecting electric signals from the heart with high spatial resolution and superb signal-to-noise
ratios, we should be able to zoom in on the exact location of problems in the heart muscle that can
lead to heart attacks.

Skin is essentially an interface between your brain and the external world. It senses a tap on
the shoulder or the heat from a fire, and your brain takes in that information and decides how to
react. If we want bionic skins to do the same, they must incorporate sensors that can match the
sensitivity of biological skins. But that is no easy task.

For example, a commercial pressure-sensitive rubber exhibits a maximum sensitivity of 3

kilopascals, which is not sufficient to detect a gentle touch. To improve an e-skin’s responsiveness
to such stimuli, researchers are experimenting with a number of different techniques.

Zhenan Bao and her colleagues at Stanford University created a flexible membrane with
extraordinarily good touch sensitivity by using precisely molded pressure sensitive rubber
sandwiched between electrodes.

A novel design of the thin rubber layer, using pyramid-like structures of micrometer size
that expand when compressed, allowed the material to detect the weight of a fly resting on its
surface. With such structures embedded in it, a bionic skin could sense a breath or perhaps a gentle
breeze.

This kind of sensitivity would be a great benefit in a prosthetic hand, for example, by giving
the wearer the ability to grip delicate objects. In the most recent application of Bao’s technology,
her team turned the pressure sensors around so that instead of detecting external stimuli, they
measured a person’s internal functions.

The researchers developed a flexible pulse monitor that responds to each subtle surge of
blood through an artery, which could be worn on the inner wrist under a Band-Aid. Such an
unobtrusive monitor could be used to keep track of a patient’s pulse and blood pressure while in
the hospital or during surgery.
d. By Organic Light Emitting Diode:

Fig4: By Organic Light Emitting Diode

Javey and colleagues set out to make the electronic skin respond optically. The researchers
combined a conductive, pressure-sensitive rubber material, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs),
and thin-film transistors made of semiconductor-enriched carbon nanotubes to build an array of
pressure sensing, light-emitting pixels.

Whereas a system with this kind of function is relatively simple to fabricate on a silicon
surface, ―for plastics, this is one of the more complex systems that has ever been demonstrated, ‖
says Javey.

The diversity of materials and components that the researchers combined to make the
lightemitting pressure-sensor array is impressive, says John Rogers, a professor of materials science
at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Rogers, whose group has produced its own
impressive flexible electronic sensors (see ―Electronic Sensors Printed Directly on the Skin‖), says
the result illustrates how research in nanomaterial is transitioning from the fundamental study of
components and simple devices to the development of ―sophisticated, macro scale demonstrator
devices, with unique function.
 In this artist's illustration of the University of California, Berkeley's interactive e-skin, the
brightness of the light directly corresponds to how hard the surface is pressed. Semiconducting
material and transistors are fitted to flexible silicon to mimic pressure on human skin.

The team is working on samples that respond to temperature. Scientists have created what's
been dubbed the world's first interactive 'electronic skin' that responds to touch and pressure. When
the flexible skin is touched, bent or pressed, built-in LED’s light up - and the stronger the pressure,
the brighter the light.

The researchers, from the University of California, claim the bendy e-skin could be used to
restore feeling for people with prosthetic limbs, in smart phone displays, car dashboards or used to
give robots a sense of touch. Scientists from the University of California have created what's been
dubbed the first 'electronic skin' that responds to touch and pressure by lighting up using built-in
lights.

5. Architecture of E-SKIN
 With the interactive e-skin, demonstration is takes place an elegant system on plastic that
can be wrapped around different objects to enable a new form of HMI. Other companies, including
Massachusetts-based engineering firm MC10, have created flexible electronic circuits that are
attached to a wearer’s skin using a rubber stamp.

MC10 originally designed the tattoos, called Biostamps, to help medical teams measure the
health of their patients either remotely, or without the need for large expensive machinery. Fig 2
shows the various parts that make up the MC10 electronic tattoo called the Biostamp. It can be
stuck to the body using a rubber stamp, and protected using spray-on bandages. The circuit can be
worn for two weeks and Motorola believes this makes it perfect for authentication purposes.

Biostamp use high-performance silicon, can stretch up to 200 per cent and can monitor
temperature, hydration and strain, among other medical statistics. Javey’s study claims that while
building sensors into networks isn’t new, interactive displays; being able to recognize touch and
pressure and have the flexible circuit respond to it is ‘breakthrough’. His team is now working on
a sample that could also register and respond to changes in temperature and light to make the skin
even more lifelike.

Large-area ultrasonic sensor arrays that could keep both robots and humans out of trouble.
An ultrasonic skin covering an entire robot body could work as a 360-degree proximity sensor,
measuring the distance between the robot and external obstacles. This could prevent the robot from
crashing into walls or allow it to handle our soft, fragile human bodies with more care.

For humans, it could provide prosthetics or garments that are hyperaware of their
surroundings. Besides adding multiple functions to e-skins, it’s also important to improve their
electronic properties, such as the speed at which signals can be read from the sensors. For that,
electron mobility is a fundamental limiting factor, so some researchers are seeking to create flexible
materials that allow electrons to move very quickly.

Ali Javey and his colleagues at the University of California, Berkeley, have had some
success in that area. They figured out how to make flexible, large-area electronics by printing
semiconducting nanowires onto plastics and paper. Nanowires have excellent electron mobility, but
they hadn’t been used in large-area electronics before. Materials like the ones Javey developed will
also allow for fascinating new functions for e-skins. My team has developed electromagnetic
coupling technology for e-skin, which would enable wireless power transmission. Imagine being
able to charge your prosthetic arm by resting your hand on a charging pad on your desk. In principle,
any sort of conductor could work for this, but if materials with higher electron mobility are used,
the transmission frequency could increase, resulting in more efficient coupling.

Linking sensors with radio-frequency communication modules within an e-skin would also
allow the wireless transmission of information from skin to computer—or, conceivably, to other e-
skinned people. At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, John Rogers’s team has taken
the first step toward this goal. His latest version of an―electrical epidermis‖ contained the antenna
and ancillary components needed for radiofrequency communication. What’s more, his electronics
can be laminated onto your skin in the same fashion as a temporary tattoo.

The circuit is first transferred onto a water-soluble plastic sheet, which washes away after
the circuit is pressed on. Doctors could use these tiny devices to monitor a patient’s vital signs
without the need for wires and bulky contact pads, and people could wear them discreetly beyond
the confines of the hospital.

Rogers and his colleagues tried out a number of applications for their stick-on electronics.
In their most astonishing iteration, they applied circuitry studded with sensors to a person’s throat
where it could detect the muscular activity involved in speech.

Simply by monitoring the signals, researchers were able to differentiate among several
words spoken by the test subject. The user was even able to control a voice activated video game.
Rogers suggested that such a device could be used to create covert, sub vocal communication
systems.

Skins that know what we’re saying without having to say it, skins that can communicate
themselves, skin that extend our human capacities in directions we haven’t yet imagined—the
possibilities are endless. And while some readers may worry about e-skins being used to invade the
privacy of their bodies or minds, I believe the potential benefits of this technology offer plenty of
reasons to carry on with the work.
 For example, the car company Toyota has already demonstrated a smart steering wheel that
measures the electrical activity of the driver’s heart; imagine a smart skin that can warn a patient of
an oncoming heart attack hours in advance. Human skin is so thin, yet it serves as a boundary
between us and the external world. My dream is to make responsive electronic coverings that bridge
that divide.

Instead of cold metal robots and hard plastic prosthetics, I imagine machines and people
clothed in sensitive e-skin, allowing for a two way exchange of information. Making our
mechanical creations seem almost warm and alive and placing imperceptible electronics on humans
will change how people relate to technology.

The harmonization of people and machines: This is the cyborg future that e-skins could
bring. Bendable sensors and displays have made the tech rounds before, but a team of engineers at
the University of California-Berkeley have found a way to combine the two. Ali Javey and his lab
have successfully created e-skin, a pressure-sensitive circuit array that is thin, flexible, and
luminescent. His research can be found in the journal Nature Materials.

6. Rehealable Electronic Skin

Self-healing abilities of electronic skin are critical to potential applications of electronic skin
in fields such as soft robotics. Proper design of self-healing electronic skin requires not only healing
of the base substrate but also the reestablishment of any sensing functions such as tactile sensing or
electrical conductivity.

Ideally, the self-healing process of electronic skin does not rely upon outside stimulation
such as increased temperature, pressure, or solvation. Self-healing, or rehealable, electronic skin is
often achieved through a polymer-based material or a hybrid material.

a. Polymer-based materials

In 2018, Zou et al. published work on electronic skin that is able to reform covalent bonds
when damaged. The group looked at a polyimine-based cross-linked network, synthesized as seen
in Figure 1.

The e-skin is considered rehealable because of “reversible bond exchange,” meaning that
the bonds holding the network together are able to break and reform under certain conditions such
as solvation and heating. The rehealable and reusable aspect of such a thermoset material is unique
because many thermoset materials irreversibly form cross-linked networks through covalent bonds.
In the polymer network the bonds formed during the healing process are indistinguishable from the
original polymer network.

Figure 5. Polymerization scheme for formation of polyimine-based self-healing electronic skin.

Dynamic non-covalent crosslinking has also been shown to form a polymer network that is
rehealable. In 2016, Oh et al. looked specifically at semiconducting polymers for organic
transistors. They found that incorporating 2, 6-pyridine dicarboxamide (PDCA) into the polymer
backbone could impart self-healing abilities based on the network of hydrogen bonds formed
between groups.
 With incorporation of PDCA in the polymer backbone, the materials was able to withstand
up to 100% strain without showing signs of micro scale cracking. In this example, the hydrogen
bonds are available for energy dissipation as the strain increases.

b. Hybrid materials

Polymer networks are able to facilitate dynamic healing processes through hydrogen bonds
or dynamic covalent chemistry. However, the incorporation of inorganic particles can greatly
expand the functionality of polymer-based materials for electronic skin applications.

The incorporation of micro-structured nickel particles into a polymer network (Figure 2)

has been shown to maintain self-healing properties based on the reformation of hydrogen bonding
networks around the inorganic particles.

The material is able to regain its conductivity within 15 seconds of breakage, and the
mechanical properties are regained after 10 minutes at room temperature without added stimulus.
This material relies on hydrogen bonds formed between urea groups when they align. The
hydrogen atoms of urea functional groups are ideally situated to form a hydrogen-bonding network
because they are near an electron-withdrawing carbonyl group.

This polymer network with embedded nickel particles demonstrates the possibility of using
polymers as supramolecular hosts to develop self-healing conductive composites.
Figure 6. Self-healing material based on hydrogen bonding and interactions with micro-
structured nickel particles.
 Flexible and porous graphene foams that are interconnected in a 3D manner have also been
shown to have self-healing properties. Thin film with poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamde)-poly(vinyl
alcohol) (PDMAA) and reduced graphene oxide have shown high electrical conductivity and
selfhealing properties. The healing abilities of the hybrid composite are suspected to be due to the
hydrogen bonds between the PDMAA chains, and the healing process is able to restore initial length
and recover conductive properties.

7. Flexible and stretchy electronic skin

The ability of electronic skin to withstand mechanical deformation including stretching and flexing
without losing functionality is crucial for its applications as prosthetics, artificial intelligence, soft
robotics, health monitoring, biocompatibility, and communication devices. Flexible electronics are
often designed by depositing electronic materials on flexible polymer substrates, thereby relying on
an organic substrate to impart favorable mechanical properties.

Stretchable e-skin materials have been approached from two directions. Hybrid materials
can rely on an organic network for stretchiness while embedding inorganic particles or sensors,
which are not inherently stretchable. Other research has focused on developing stretchable materials
that also have favorable electronic or sensing capabilities.

Zou et al. studied the inclusion of linkers that are described as “serpentine” in their
polyimine matrix. These linkers make the e-skin sensors able to flex with movement and distortion.
The incorporation of alkyl spacers in polymer-based materials has also been shown to increase
flexibility without decreasing charge transfer mobility.Oh et al. developed a stretchable and flexible
material based on 3,6-di(thiophen-2-yl)-2,5-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4-dione (DPP) and
non-conjugated 2,6-pyridine dicarboxamide (PDCA) as a source of hydrogen bonds (Figure 4).
Figure 7. A stretchable and self-healing semiconducting polymer-based material Graphene
has also been shown to be a suitable material for electronic skin applications as well due to
its stiffness and tensile strength. Graphene is an appealing material because its synthesis to
flexible substrates is scalable and cost-efficient.
 8. Conductive Electronic Skin

The development of conductive electronic skin is of interest for many electrical applications.
Research into conductive electronic skin has taken two routes: conductive selfhealing polymers or
embedding conductive inorganic materials in non-conductive polymer networks.

The self-healing conductive composite synthesized by Tee et al. (Figure 2) investigated the
incorporation of micro-structured nickel particles into a polymer host. The nickel particles adhere
to the network though favorable interactions between the native oxides layer on the surface of the
particles and the hydrogen-bonding polymer.

Nanoparticles have also been studied for their ability to impart conductivity on electronic
skin materials. Zou et al. embedded silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into a polymer matrix, making
the e-skin conductive. The healing process for this material is noteworthy because it not only
restores the mechanical properties of the polymer network, but also restores the conductive
properties when silver nanoparticles have been embedded in the polymer network.

9. Sensing Ability of Electronic Skin

Some of the challenges that face electronic skin sensing abilities include the fragility of
sensors, the recovery time of sensors, repeatability, overcoming mechanical strain, and long-term
stability.

A. Tactile Sensors

Applied pressure can be measured by monitoring changes in resistance or capacitance.

Coplanar inter digitated electrodes embedded on single-layer graphene have been shown to provide
pressure sensitivity for applied pressure as low as 0.11 kPa through measuring changes in
capacitance. Piezoresistive sensors have also shown high levels of sensitivity.

Ultrathin molybdenum disulfide sensing arrays integrated with graphene have demonstrated
promising mechanical properties capable of pressure sensing. Modifications of organic field effect
transistors (OFETs) have shown promise in electronic ski applications. Microstructure
polydimethylsiloxane thin films can elastically deform when pressure is applied. The deformation
of the thin film allows for storage and release of energy.

Visual representation of applied pressure has been one area of interest in development of
tactile sensors. The Bao Group at Stanford University have designed an electrochromically active
electronic skin that changes color with different amounts of applied pressure. Applied pressure can
also be visualized by incorporation of active-matrix organic light-emitting diode displays which
emit light when pressure is applied.

B. Other sensing applications

Humidity sensors have been incorporated in electronic skin design with sulfurized tungsten
films. The conductivity of the film changes with different levels of humidity. Silicon Nano ribbons
have also been studied for their application as temperature, pressure, and humidity sensors.

10. Structure of E-SKIN

 Figure8: Structure of E-SKIN

 Nanotube TFT drain connected to anode of OLED.

 OLED: BI-Layer structure whose color controlled by emissive layer material.

 PSR: Electrical contact with cathode of OLED.

 Conductivity of PSR applied pressure.

11. How display is converted into E-SKIN
 The cathode of each OLED is connected to the ground through the PSR. Application of
pressure: shortening of tunneling path between conductive carbon Nano particles reduced resistance
of PSR modules the current flowing through the OLED’S and change the brightness of the output.
PSR lamination on the top of the leads to make pressure sensitive.

According to reports, the new electronic skin display has enhanced information accessibility
for the elderly and infirm. It provides a level of clarity to patients who often have difficulty using
and gathering data from similar devices and interfaces today.

It also offers an alternative solution to ease the strain on home healthcare systems in aging
societies by providing a non-invasive health monitoring option.

“The current aging society requires user-friendly wearable sensors for monitoring patient
vitals in order to reduce the burden on patients and family members providing nursing care,”
Professor Takao Someya from the University of Tokyo, said. “Our system could serve as one of
the long-awaited solutions to fulfill this need, which will ultimately lead to improving the quality
of life for many.”

The medical data, such as an electrocardiogram, measured by the sensors in the electronic
skin display can be sent wirelessly to a smartphone for quick viewing or be stored in the cloud. The
electronic device was developed by the University of Tokyo in collaboration with Dai Nippon
Printing, one of Japan’s top printing companies.

The e-skin is composed of a 16 by 24 array of micro LEDs and stretchable wiring attached to
a rubber sheet. The display could be stretched to as much as 45% of its original length.

“Our skin display exhibits simple graphics with motion,” Someya went on to say. “Because
it is made from thin and soft materials, it can be deformed freely.”
The new patch is said to be the first stretchable display to achieve superior durability and
stability in air. “Not a single pixel failed in the matrix-type display while attached snugly onto the
skin and continuously subjected to the stretching and contracting motion of the body,” TechXplore
reported.
 Dai Nippon Printing is already planning to offer the electronic skin display to the public in
the next three years. The researchers are now working on making it more reliable and scalable by
improving and expanding its surface area coverage.

12. Advantages

 Reduces number of wires.

 Compact in size.

 Attachment and detachment is easy.

 More flexible.
 Light in weight.

 It replaces present system of ECG and EEG.

 It gives sense to a robot.

 Ultrathin.

 Twistable and stretchable.

 Easy to handle.

13. Disadvantages

 Continuous emission of dead cells can’t take place.

 Transpiration does not take properly.

 Cost is high.

 Single use.
 14. Features

 Flexible or deformable.

 Power storage.

 Deployed 2-D array.

 Smaller array.

 Self sensing ability.

 Measure distance to objects.

 Unique properties.
 15. Applications

 Automatic control panel.

 Interactive input devices.

 Robotics.

 Medical and Health monitoring device.

 16. Future scope

1. Bendable sensors and displays have made the tech rounds before.
2. We can predict a patient of an oncoming heart attack hours in advance.
3. In future even virtual screens may be placed on device for knowing our body functions.
4. Used in car dashboard, interactive wallpapers, smart watches.
 17. Conclusion

The electronics devices gain more demand when they are compact in size and best at
functioning. The Artificial Skin is one such device which depicts the beauty of electronics and its
use in daily life. Scientists create artificial skin that emulates human touch. According to experts,
the artificial skin is "smarter and similar to human skin." It also offers greater sensitivity and
resolution than current commercially available techniques. Bendable sensors and displays have
made the tech rounds before. We can predict a patient of an oncoming heart attack hours in advance.
In future even virtual screens may be placed on device for knowing our body functions.

Used in car dashboard, interactive wallpapers, smart watches.

REFERENCES

IEEE Sensors Journal, Vol.12,No.8, August 12

Massachusetts engineering firm MC 10

Nature materials

ICap Technologies, http://www.icaptech.com/.

Artificial Skin - used, first, blood, body, produced, Burke and Yannas Create Synthetic Skin,
Graftskin.

Discoveries in medicine.com. 2010-03-11. Retrieved 2013-10-17.

How is artificial skin made? Information from" Answers.com. Retrieved 2013-10-17.

Robotic Tactile Sensing. Springer. p. 265. ISBN 978-94-007-0578-4.

Park, B. Chen, and R. J. Wood (Oct. 2011), Soft artificial skin with multimodal sensing capability
using embedded liquid conductors, Proc. IEEE Sensors Conf., Limerick, Ireland, pp. 1–3.

S. P. Lacour (Aug. 2005) et al., Stretchable interconnects for elastic electronic surfaces, Proc.
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