New malleable 'electronic skin' self-healable, recyclable

Electronic skin, known as , is a thin,

translucent material that can mimic the function and mechanical properties of . A number of different types and sizes of wearable e-skins are now being developed in labs around the world as researchers recognize their value in diverse medical, scientific and engineering fields.
The new CU Boulder e-skin has sensors embedded to measure pressure, temperature, humidity and air flow, said Assistant Professor Jianliang Xiao, who is leading the research effort with CU Boulder chemistry and biochemistry Associate Professor Wei Zhang. It has several distinctive properties, including a novel type of covalently bonded dynamic network polymer, known as polyimine that has been laced with  to provide better mechanical strength, chemical stability and electrical conductivity.