Researchers at King Abdullah
University of Science and Technology have recently developed a flexible and
imperceptible magnetic skin that adds permanent magnetic properties to all
surfaces to which it is applied. This artificial skin could have numerous
interesting applications. For instance, it could enable the development of more
effective tools to aid people with disabilities, help biomedical professionals
to monitor their patients' vital signs, and pave the way for new consumer tech.
The artificial skin is magnetic,
thin and highly flexible. When it is worn by a human user, it can be easily
tracked by a nearby magnetic sensor (i.e. if a user wears it on his eyelid, it
allows for his eye movements to be tracked or if worn on fingers, it can help
to monitor a person's physiological responses or even to control switches
without touching them). The magnetic skin is easy to assemble, as it is made by
mixing an elastomer matrix with magnetic powder and then drying this mixture at
room temperature.
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