Electronic Skin Turns Your Body into a Display

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a method for creating electronic skin that can function as a display. According to the news outlet 'Science Recorder', electronic skin – as the name suggests – is an electronic covering that can be placed on a person's skin. This electronic piece is extremely thin and flexible, measuring only two micrometers in thickness and weighing almost nothing, and it is capable of displaying emotions such as anxiety. It can also be used in medical fields, such as measuring pulse or blood oxygen levels. Additionally, this display operates longer compared to other devices, utilizing LED lights that last for several days. This brilliant display requires less energy compared to other electronic skins. The research team believes that electronic skin is the future of communication. Takao Sumiyoshi, a professor at the University of Tokyo and a member of the research team, states, 'The invention of mobile phones has changed the way we communicate. Although these communication devices are getting smaller and smaller, we still have to carry them. Imagine displays that we can stick to our bodies and can even show our emotions through them.' Researchers have been developing and improving electronic skin technology for a long time. This new technology, in addition to its extraordinary flexibility, protects its inner organic and inorganic layers from weather-related damage. This prevents quality degradation and stops moisture from penetrating the device. According to 'Live Science', organic electronic devices made from carbon polymers are much lighter and more flexible than conventional electronic devices made from inorganic materials like silicon and gold. However, organic LEDs and optical sensors typically lose quality when exposed to air, requiring bulky coatings that in turn reduce the flexibility of these devices. Organic electronic displays have previously been made using glass or plastic materials, and their flexibility has been limited due to their thickness. These materials do not last more than a few hours when exposed to air. Sumiyoshi believes that the practical application of electronic skin devices may replace smartphones in the future.