Abstract

Electronics plays a very important role in developing simple devices used for any
purpose. In every field electronic equipment are required. The best achievement as well as
future example of integrated electronics in medical field is Artificial Skin. It is ultrathin
electronics device attaches to the skin like a sick on tattoo which can measure electrical
activity of heart, brain waves & other vital signals. Artificial skin is skin grown in a
laboratory. It can be used as skin replacement for people who have suffered skin trauma,
such as severe burns or skin diseases, or robotic applications. This paper focuses on the
Artificial skin(E-Skin) to build a skin work similar to that of the human skin and also it is
embedded with several sensations or the sense of touch acting on the skin. This skin is
already being stitched together. It consists of millions of embedded electronic measuring
devices: thermostats, pressure gauges, pollution detectors, cameras, microphones, glucose
sensors, EKGs, electronic holographs. This device would enhance the new technology
which is emerging and would greatly increase the usefulness of robotic probes in areas
where the human cannot venture. The sensor could pave the way for an overabundance
of new applications that can wirelessly monitor the vitals and body movements of a
patient sending information directly to a computer that can log and store data to better
assist in future decisions. This paper offers an insight view of the internal structure,
fabrication process and different manufacturing processes.
Keywords: Artificial skin, Electronics, Skin, Brain Wave

iv
Contents

Certificate ii

Acknowledgement iii

Abstract iv

List of Figures vi

1 Introduction 1
1.1 Introduction to E-Skin ...................................................................................... 2
1.2 History ............................................................................................................. 2

2 Methodology 4
2.1. Architecture of E-Skin ......................................................................................... 5
2.2. Fabrication of E-Skin ......................................................................................... 6
2.2.1. By using zinc oxide with vertical nanowires........................................... 6
2.2.2. By using Gallium Indium ....................................................................... 7
2.2.3. By using Organic Transistors ................................................................. 8
2.2.4. By Organic Light Emitting Diode .......................................................... 9
2.3. Results & Analysis of Applications..................................................................... 10

3 Conclusion 12
3.1. Future scope ........................................................................................................... 12

4 References 13

v
List of Figures

1. E-Skin by using zinc oxide .......................................................................................... 6

2. E-Skin by using Gallium Indium .................................................................................. 7

3. E-Skin by using organic transistors ................................................................................ 8

4. E-Skin by using organic LEDs ................................................................................... 9

5. Monitoring using e-skin .............................................................................................. 10

6. Smart bandage using e-skin......................................................................................... 10

vi
 Introduction
Introduction to E-Skin

History

1
Chapter 1

Introduction

1.1 Introduction to E-Skin

Electronics plays a very important role in developing simple devices used for any
purpose. In every field electronic equipment are required. The best achievement as well as
future example of integrated electronics in medical field is Artificial Skin. It is ultrathin
electronics device attaches to the skin like a sick on tattoo which can measure electrical
activity of heart, brain waves & other vital signals. Evolution in robotics is demanding
increased perception of the environment. Human skin provides sensory perception of
temperature, touch/pressure, and air flow. Goal is to develop sensors on flexible substrates
that are compliant to curved surfaces. Researcher’s objective is for making an artificial skin is
to make a revolutionary change in robotics, in medical field, in flexible electronics. Skin is
large organ in human body so artificial skin replaces it according to our need. Main objective
of artificial skin is to sense heat, pressure, touch, airflow and whatever which human skin
sense. It is replacement for prosthetic limbs and robotic arms.

Artificial skin is skin grown in a laboratory. There are various names of artificial skin
in biomedical field it is called as artificial skin, in our electronics field it is called as electronic
skin, some scientist it called as sensitive skin, in other way it also called as synthetic skin, some
people says that it is fake skin. Such different names are available but application is same it is
skin replacement for people who have suffered skin trauma, such as severe burns or skin
diseases, or robotic applications & so on. An artificial skin has also been recently
demonstrated at the University of Cincinnati for in-vitro sweat simulation and testing, capable
of skin-like texture, wetting, sweat pore density, and sweat rates.

1.2 History
Electronic skin or e-skin is a thin material designed to mimic human skin by
recognizing pressure and temperature. In September 2010, Javey and the University of
California, Berkeley developed a method of attaching nanowire transistors and pressure
sensors to a sticky plastic film. In August 2011, Massachusetts-based MC10 created an
electronic patch for monitoring patient's vital health signs which was described as 'electric

2
Introduction (1.2. History)

skin'. The 'tattoos were created by embedding sensors in a thin film. During tests, the device
stayed in place for 24 hours and was flexible enough to move with the skin it was placed on.
Javey's latest electronic skin lights up when touched. Pressure triggers a reaction that lights up
blue, green, red, and yellow LEDs and as pressure increases the lights get brighter. Artificial
skin identified by different name in a same way it is developed in different laboratories such as
in MIT (Massachusetts institute of technology), in Tokyo led by Takao Someya, The
Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology, and so on. In this report
we see the different methods of manufacturing of artificial skin of different scientist & its
application with its future scope. Another form of ―artificial skin‖ has been created out of
flexible semiconductor materials that can sense touch for those with prosthetic limbs. The
artificial skin is anticipated to augment robotics in conducting rudimentary jobs that would be
considered delicate and require sensitive ―touch‖. Scientists found that by applying a layer of
rubber with two parallel electrodes that stored electrical charges inside of the artificial skin,
tiny amounts of pressure could be detected. When pressure is exerted, the electrical charge in
the rubber is changed and the change is detected by the electrodes. However, the film is so
small that when pressure is applied to the skin, the molecules have nowhere to move and
become entangled. The molecules also fail to return to their original shape when the pressure
is removed. Sensitive skin, also known as sensate skin, is an electronic sensing skin placed on
the surface of a machine such as a robotic arm. The goal of the skin is to sense important
environmental parameters—such as proximity to objects, heat, moisture, and direct touch
sensations. Examples of a sensitive skin have been made by a group in Tokyo led by Takao
Someya.

3
 Methodology
Architecture of E-Skin

Fabrication of E-Skin

Results and Analysis

4
Chapter 2

Chapter Name

2.1 Architecture Of E-Skin

With the interactive e-skin, demonstration is takes place an elegant system on plastic
that can be wrapped around different objects to enable a new form of HMI. Other
companies, including Massachusetts-based engineering firm MC10, have created flexible
electronic circuits that are attached to a wearer's skin using a rubber stamp. MC10 originally
designed the tattoos, called Bio stamps, to help medical teams measure the health of their
patients either remotely, or without the need for large expensive machinery. Fig 2 shows the
various parts that make up the MC10 electronic tattoo called the Bio stamp. It can be stuck to
the body using a rubber stamp, and protected using spray-on bandages. The circuit can be
worn for two weeks and Motorola believes this makes it perfect for authentication purposes.
Bio stamp use high-performance silicon, can stretch up to 200 per cent and can
monitor temperature, hydration and strain, among other medical statistics. Javey's study
claims that while building sensors into networks isn't new, interactive displays; being able to
recognize touch and pressure and have the flexible circuit respond to it is 'breakthrough'. His
team is now working on a sample that could also register and respond to changes in
temperature and light to make the skin even more lifelike.
Large-area ultrasonic sensor arrays that could keep both robots and humans out of
trouble. An ultrasonic skin covering an entire robot body could work as a 360-degree
proximity sensor, measuring the distance between the robot and external obstacles. This could
prevent the robot from crashing into walls or allow it to handle our soft, fragile human bodies
with more care. For humans, it could provide prosthetics or garments that are hyperaware of
their surroundings. Besides adding multiple functions to e-skin, it’s also important to improve
their electronic properties, such as the speed at which signals can be read from the sensors.
For that, electron mobility is a fundamental limiting factor, so some researchers are seeking to
create flexible materials that allow electrons to move very quickly. Ali Javey and his colleagues
at the University of California, Berkeley, have had some success in that area. They figured out
how to make flexible, large-area electronics by printing semiconducting nanowires onto
plastics and paper. Nanowires have excellent electron mobility, but they hadn’t been used in
large-area electronics before. Materials like the ones Javey developed will also allow for
fascinating new functions for e-skins. My team has developed electromagnetic coupling
technology for e-skin, which would enable wireless power transmission. Imagine being able to

5
Methodology (2.1. Architecture of E-Skin)

charge your prosthetic arm by resting your hand on a charging pad on your desk. In principle,
any sort of conductor could work for this, but if materials with higher electron mobility are
used, the transmission frequency could increase, resulting in more efficient coupling. Linking
sensors with radio-frequency communication modules within an e-skin would also allow the
wireless transmission of information from skin to computer or, conceivably, to other e-
skinned people. At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, John Rogers’s team has
taken the first step toward this goal. His latest version of an ―electrical epidermis‖ contained
the antenna and ancillary components needed for radiofrequency communication. What’s
more, his electronics can be laminated onto your skin in the same fashion as a temporary
tattoo. The circuit is first transferred onto a water-soluble plastic sheet, which washes away
after the circuit is pressed on. Doctors could use these tiny devices to monitor a patient’s vital
signs without the need for wires and bulky contact pads, and people could wear them
discreetly beyond the confines of the hospital. Rogers and his colleagues tried out a number of
applications for their stick-on electronics. In their most astonishing iteration, they applied
circuitry studded with sensors to a person’s throat where it could detect the muscular activity
involved in speech. Simply by monitoring the signals, researchers were able to differentiate
among several words spoken by the test subject. The user was even able to control a voice-
activated video game. Rogers suggested that such a device could be used to create covert,
subvocal communication systems.
Skins that know what we’re saying without having to say it, skins that can
communicate themselves, skins that extend our human capacities in directions we haven’t yet
imagined—the possibilities are endless. And while some readers may worry about e-skins
being used to invade the privacy of their bodies or minds, the potential benefits of this
technology offer plenty of reasons to carry on with the work. For example, the car company
Toyota has already demonstrated a smart steering wheel that measures the electrical activity of
the driver’s heart; imagine a smart skin that can warn a patient of an oncoming heart attack
hours in advance. Making our mechanical creations seem almost warm and alive and placing
imperceptible electronics on humans will change how people relate to technology. The
harmonization of people and machines: This is the cyborg future that e-skins could bring.
Bendable sensors and displays have made the tech rounds before, but a team of engineers at
the University of California-Berkeley have found a way to combine the two. Ali Javey and his
lab have successfully created e-skin, a pressure-sensitive circuit array that is thin, flexible, and
luminescent. His research can be found in the journal Nature Materials.

2.2 Fabrication Of E-Skin

2.2.1 By using zinc oxide with vertical nanowires

Fig. 1. E-Skin by using zinc oxide

U.S. and Chinese Scientists used zinc oxide vertical nanowires to generate sensitivity.

6
Methodology (2.2. Fabrication of E-Skin)

According to experts the artificial skin is "smarter and similar to human skin." It also offers
greater sensitivity and resolution than current commercially available techniques. A group of
Chinese and American scientists created experimental sensors to give robots artificial skin
capable of feeling. According to experts, the sensitivity is comparable to that experienced by
humans. Trying to replicate the body's senses and indeed its largest organ, the skin, has been no
mean feat but the need for such a substitute has been needed for a while now, especially in
cases of those to whom skin grafts have not worked or indeed its use in robotics. To achieve
this sensitivity, researchers created a sort of flexible and transparent electronics sheet of about
eight thousand transistors using vertical nanowires of zinc oxide. Each transistor can directly
convert mechanical motion and touch into signals that are controlled electronically, the
creators explained. “Any mechanical movement, like the movement of an arm or fingers of a
robot, can be converted into control signals," the Professor Georgia Institute of Technology
(USA), Zhong Lin Wang. This technology "could make smarter artificial skin similar to
human skin," said Zhong, after stating that it provides greater sensitivity and resolution. The
system is based on piezoelectricity, a phenomenon that occurs when materials such as zinc
oxide are pressed. Changes in the electrical polarization of the mass can be captured and
translated into electrical signals thereby creating an artificial touch feeling.

2.2.2. By using Gallium Indium

Fig. 2. E-Skin by using Gallium Indium

The development of highly deformable artificial skin with contact force (or pressure)
and strain sensing capabilities is a critical technology to the areas of wearable computing, haptic
interfaces, and tactile sensing in robotics. With tactile sensing, robots are expected to work
more autonomously and be more responsive to unexpected contacts by detecting contact
forces during activities such as manipulation and assembly. Application areas include haptics
humanoid robotics, and medical robotics. We describe the design, fabrication, and calibration
of a highly compliant artificial skin sensor. The sensor consists of multilayered microchannel in
an elastomer matrix filled with a conductive liquid, capable of detecting multi-axis strains and
contact pressure. A novel manufacturing method comprised of layered molding and casting
processes is demonstrated to fabricate the multilayered soft sensor circuit. Silicone rubber
layers with channel patterns, cast with 3-D printed molds, are bonded to create embedded
microchannels, and a conductive liquid is injected into the microchannels. The channel
dimensions are 200 μm (width) × 300 μm (height). The size of the sensor is 25 mm × 25 mm,
and the thickness is approximately 3.5 mm. The prototype is tested with a materials tester and
showed linearity in strain sensing and nonlinearity in pressure sensing. The sensor signal is
repeatable in both cases. The characteristic modulus of the skin prototype is approximately 63

7
Methodology (2.2. Fabrication of E-Skin)

kPa. The sensor is functional up to strains of approximately 250% A highly elastic artificial
skin was developed using an embedded liquid conductor. Three hyper-elastic silicon rubber
layers with embedded microchannels were stacked and bonded. The three layers contain
different channel patterns for different types of sensing such as multi-axial strain and contact
pressure. A novel manufacturing method with layered molding and casting techniques was
developed to build a multi-layered soft sensor circuit. For strain sensing, the calibration
results showed linear and repeatable sensor signal. The gauge factors of the skin prototype are
3.93 and 3.81 in x and y axes, respectively, and the minimum detectable displacements are 1.5
mm in x-axis and 1.6 mm in y-axis. For pressure sensing, the prototype showed repeatable but
not linear sensor signals. The hysteresis level was high in a high-pressure range (over 25 kPa).
The sensor signal was repeatable in both cases.

2.2.3. By using Organic Transistors

Fig. 3. E-Skin by using organic transistors

In July they reported the success of our experiments in the journal Nature. They
fabricated organic transistors and tactile sensors on an ultrathin polymer sheet that measured
1 micrometer thick—one-tenth the thickness of plastic wrap and light enough to drift through
the air like a feather. This material can withstand repeated bending, crumple like paper, and
accommodate stretching of up to 230 percent. What’s more, it works at high temperatures and
in aqueous environments—even in saline solutions, meaning that it can function inside the
human body. Flexible electronics using organic transistors could serve a range of biomedical
applications. For example, they’ve experimented with electromyography, the monitoring and
recording of electrical activity produced by muscles. For this system, they distributed organic
transistor-based amplifiers throughout a 2-μm-thick film. This allowed us to detect muscle
signals very close to the source, which is key to improving the signal-to-noise ratio, and thus
the accuracy of the measurements. Conventional techniques typically use long wires to
connect sensors on the skin with amplifier circuits, which results in a pretty abysmal signal-to-
noise ratio. And they can imagine more medically urgent applications of such a system. In
collaboration with the medical school at the University of Tokyo, we’re working on an
experiment that will place our amplifier matrix directly on the surface of an animal’s heart. By
detecting electric signals from the heart with high spatial resolution and superb signal-to-noise
ratios, we should be able to zoom in on the exact location of problems in the heart muscle
that can lead to heart attacks. Skin is essentially an interface between your brain and the
external world. It senses a tap on the shoulder or the heat from a fire, and your brain takes in
that information and decides how to react. If we want bionic skins to do the same, they must
incorporate sensors that can match the sensitivity of biological skins. But that is no easy task.

8
Methodology (2.2. Fabrication of E-Skin)

For example, a commercial pressure-sensitive rubber exhibits a maximum sensitivity of 3

kilopascals, which is not sufficient to detect a gentle touch. To improve an e-skin’s
responsiveness to such stimuli, researchers are experimenting with a number of different
techniques. Zhenan Bao and her colleagues at Stanford University created a flexible
membrane with extraordinarily good touch sensitivity by using precisely molded pressure
sensitive rubber sandwiched between electrodes. A novel design of the thin rubber layer, using
pyramid-like structures of micrometer size that expand when compressed, allowed the
material to detect the weight of a fly resting on its surface. With such structures embedded in
it, a bionic skin could sense a breath or perhaps a gentle breeze. This kind of sensitivity would
be a great benefit in a prosthetic hand, for example, by giving the wearer the ability to grip
delicate objects. In the most recent application of Bao’s technology, her team turned the
pressure sensors around so that instead of detecting external stimuli, they measured a person’s
internal functions. The researchers developed a flexible pulse monitor that responds to each
subtle surge of blood through an artery, which could be worn on the inner wrist under a
Band-Aid. Such an unobtrusive monitor could be used to keep track of a patient’s pulse and
blood pressure while in the hospital or during surgery.

2.2.4. By Organic Light Emitting Diode

Fig. 4. E-Skin by using organic LEDs

Javey and colleagues set out to make the electronic skin respond optically. The
researchers combined a conductive, pressure-sensitive rubber material, organic light emitting
diodes (OLEDs), and thin-film transistors made of semiconductor-enriched carbon
nanotubes to build an array of pressure sensing, light-emitting pixels. Whereas a system with
this kind of function is relatively simple to fabricate on a silicon surface, ―for plastics, this is
one of the more complex systems that has ever been demonstrated,‖ says Javey. The diversity
of materials and components that the researchers combined to make the light-emitting
pressure-sensor array is impressive, says John Rogers, a professor of materials science at the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Rogers, whose group has produced its own
impressive flexible electronic sensors (see ―Electronic Sensors Printed Directly on the Skin‖),
says the result illustrates how research in nanomaterials is transitioning from the fundamental
study of components and simple devices to the development of ―sophisticated, macroscale
demonstrator devices, with unique function.‖ In this artist's illustration of the University of
California, Berkeley's interactive e-skin, the brightness of the light directly corresponds to how
hard the surface is pressed. Semiconducting material and transistors are fitted to flexible
silicon to mimic pressure on human skin. The team is working on samples that respond to
temperature. Scientists have created what's been dubbed the world's first interactive 'electronic

9
Methodology (2.2. Fabrication of E-Skin)

skin' that responds to touch and pressure. When the flexible skin is touched, bent or pressed,
built-in LED’s light up - and the stronger the pressure, the brighter the light. The researchers,
from the University of California, claim the bendy e-skin could be used to restore feeling for
people with prosthetic limbs, in smart phone displays, car dashboards or used to give robots a
sense of touch. Scientists from the University of California have created what's been dubbed
the first 'electronic skin' that responds to touch and pressure by lighting up using built-in
lights.

2.3. Results & Analysis of Applications

In this seminar report, general information about electronic skin is shown and also a
fabrication of electronic skin is given. From them we can say that electronic skin: -

 Reduces number of wires

 Compact in size
 Attachment and detachment is easy
 More flexible
 Light in weight
 It replaces present system of ECG and EEG
 It gives sense to a robot
 Wearable and Easy to handle
 Ultrathin
 Twistable & stretchable

Fig. 5. Monitoring using e-skin Fig. 6. Smart bandage using e-skin

10
Methodology (2.3. Results & Analysis of Applications)

So, some applications are given below to know the depth and use of electronic skin: -

 When the skin has been seriously damaged through disease or burns then human skin
can be replaced by Artificial skin.
 It can be also used for robots. Robot senses the pressure, touch, moisture,
temperature, proximity to object.
 It can measure electrical activity of the heart, brain waves, muscle activity and other
vital signals.
 By using interfacial stress sensor, we also measure normal stress & shear stress.
Localized electrical stimulation: This is a ―smart bandage’’. Temperature is changes
across a wound.

11
 Conclusion
Scope for Future Investigations

12
Chapter 3

Conclusion
The electronics devices gain more demand when they are compact in size and best at
functioning. The Artificial Skin is one such device which depicts the beauty of electronics and
its use in daily life. Scientists create artificial skin that emulates human touch. According to
experts, the artificial skin is "smarter and similar to human skin." It also offers greater
sensitivity and resolution than current commercially available techniques. Bendable sensors
and displays have made the tech rounds before. We can predict a patient of an oncoming
heart attack hours in advance. In future even virtual screens may be placed on device for
knowing our body functions. Used in car dashboard, interactive wallpapers, smart watches.

3.1 Future Scope

 Bendable sensors and displays have made the tech rounds before.
 We can predict a patient of an oncoming heart attack hours in advance.
 In future even virtual screens may be placed on device for knowing our body
functions. Used in car dashboard, interactive wallpapers, smart watches.

13
References

 IEEE Sensors Journal, Vol.12, No.8, August 12

 Massachusetts engineering firm MC 10
 Nature materials
 I Cap Technologies, http://www.icaptech.com/.
 Artificial Skin - used, first, blood, body, produced, Burke and Yannas Create
Synthetic Skin, Graft skin.
 Discoveries in medicine.com. 2010-03-11. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
 How is artificial skin made? Information from" Answers.com. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
 Robotic Tactile Sensing. Springer. p. 265. ISBN 978-94-007-0578-4.
 Park, B. Chen, and R. J. Wood (Oct. 2011), Soft artificial skin with multimodal sensing
capability using embedded liquid conductors, Proc. IEEE Sensors Conf., Limerick,
Ireland, pp. 1–3.
 S. P. Lacour (Aug. 2005) et al., Stretchable interconnects for elastic electronic surfaces,
Proc. IEEE, vol. 93, pp. 1459–1467.

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