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Scientists create 'iontronic skin' with fast self-healing function
Demonstrative image of the new iontronic skin self-healing after damaged. /Nature
Demonstrative image of the new iontronic skin self-healing after damaged. /Nature

Demonstrative image of the new iontronic skin self-healing after damaged. /Nature

Scientists in China and South Korea developed a new kind of "iontronic skin" that can repair itself at what they call an "ultrafast" speed.

According to a research paper published on Nature Communications, the skin can automatically self-heal as fast as 4.3 micrometers per minute and as effective as 91 percent in an hour.

The iontronic skin can respond to pressure changes like real human skin. The paper described its sensitivity as "excellent."

The scientists, who work at Ningbo Material Technology And Engineering Institute, Hanyang University and Chungnam National University, made this new skin possible by introducing Cl-functionalized groups into a polyurethane matrix during the design process.

They said in the paper that the skin has potential to be used in the touchscreen of wearable electronic gadgets. It may also be applied on other human–machine interfaces.

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