3D printing could make bionic skin possible: Here’s how

This diagram shows the 3D printing of touch sensors onto a model hand. [Image courtesy of University of Minnesota]

University of Minnesota researchers 3D printed tiny stretchable electronic sensory devices that could enable bionic skin for surgical robots – or a new class of wearables directly printed onto human skin.

Their work appeared May 5 in the journal Advanced Materials.

“This stretchable electronic fabric we developed has many practical uses,” said Michael McAlpine, a University of Minnesota mechanical engineering associate professor and lead researcher on the study, in a U of M news release.

“Putting this type of ‘bionic skin’ on surgical robots would give surgeons the ability to actually feel during minimally invasive surgeries, which would make surgery easier instead of just using cameras like they do now. These sensors could also make it easier for other robots to walk and interact with their environment,” McAlpine said.

Get the full story on our sister site, Medical Design & Outsourcing.

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