To create more environmentally-friendly electronics, researchers have envisioned a 'fully electronic skin' that can be completely recycled, and e-skin can repair itself even when it is torn. "In a study published in Science Advances The device is essentially a sensor-loaded membrane capable of measuring pressure, temperature, humidity, and air flow The membrane consists of three commercially available compounds, as well as nano-silver particles.
If the 'electronic skin' is scribed, the chemicals that flow out on both sides will be able to 'rejuvenate' on their own. Even if the surface is damaged, the film may be thrown into solution to re-liquefy the material. "One day, this technique Or used on prostheses, robots, or smart fabrics.
In fact, many laboratories around the world are developing electronic skin. For example, a European research team has developed a solution that allows users to manipulate (not touch objects) through magnets. In addition, there is also a smart shirt in Japan. Become a video game motion controller technology.
Study Diagram - 1: Fully Recyclable Plastic Electronic Skin.
However, what is special about the latest research results is that it can be recycled and reused:
In the United States, for example, only 16 billion pounds (nearly 7.26 million tons) of electronic waste was created in 2014. All of these circuit boards, transistors, and hard disks contain toxic chemicals that must be properly disposed of.
Study Diagram - 2: Film purity and conductivity characteristics.
Xiaojian Liang, a research co-author and assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder, said:
This special equipment will not produce any waste, we want to nail products become more environmentally friendly.
Study with Figure - 3: The upper left for the recycling process diagram.
Even if the 'electronic skin' is severely damaged, it can be recycled through 'looping solutions':
● The solution can decompose the matrix into small molecules, let the nano-silver ions sink into the bottom, and then all the materials can be reused to make another functional electronic skin.
● In the case of 140°F (60°C), complete recovery takes about 30 minutes; if it is at room temperature, it takes 10 hours.
● In contrast, the material is much faster to heal itself - less than half an hour at room temperature and only a few minutes at 60 ° C.
Study with Figure - 4: The upper part of the electronic skin design diagram.
This electronic skin is not perfect, but it is soft, but it is not as elastic as human skin. Professor said that he and his colleagues are working hard to improve the scalability of the device so that it can be more easily applied to the manufacture of prosthetics or robots.
But the most exciting thing for them is the environmental characteristics of the study: 'We are facing increasingly serious pollution problems, and the importance of environmental protection is also increasing. We must ensure natural safety for ourselves and the next generation'.
