Synthetic Skin for Prosthetics

Ranier Ford According to a 2008 analysis in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, more than 1.6 million U.S. civilians with limb amputations needed a prosthetic. Prosthetics are an artificial device that replaces a missing body part lost through trauma, disease, or congenital conditions. They have been used since the times of Ancient Egypt and since then, have morphed into a sophisticated example of a monumental innovation. Recently, the prosthetics program of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) funded the Neuroscientists at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago in creating a sensitive synthetic skin. This was done by combining gold carbon nanoparticles (a particle that has one of more dimensions of the order of 100nm or less) covered with organic connector molecules, called ligands, into the surface of plastic commonly known as polyimides. Using the specially designed polymer, researchers from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago have created a material that has the appearance of human skin and when paired with a prosthetic arm, will feel and function like human skin too. Malvern compared the gold carbon nanoparticles to tiny hairs on the filmy plastic skin. The total thickness of the artificial skin, including the rubber layer and both electrodes; is less than one millimeter thick. Patel Prachi from IEEE Spectrum stated that the synthetic skin could lead to next-generation prosthetic arms with which users can feel a light touch, shake hands, cook, and type naturally because the arm will send signals to the brain and in turn respond to brain signals. The skin itself is a rubbery polymer called polyimide, a class of thermally stable polymers that are often based on stiff aromatic backbones as proclaimed by Gregory Brust from PSLC. The polyimides are infused with tiny gold carbon nanoparticles which are bonded in micro-patterns, so the skin can retain flexibility and elasticity while still transmitting a strong signal. Initially designed for airplane pressure sensors, the polymer is durable, resistant to high temperatures, and are piezoelectric, which means that it generates electricity in response to pressure or force according to Wikipedia. The carbon nanoparticles will enhance the piezoelectricity of the polyimide and make the polymer stronger. Polyimides are incredibly strong and astoundingly heat and chemical resistant polymers. They are so durable, that these materials often replace glass and metals, such as steel, in many demanding industrial applications. Gregory Brust from PSLC said that polyimides are also used in the construction of many appliances, microwave cookware and food packaging because of their thermal stability, resistance to oils and their transparency to microwave radiation. Gold carbon nanoparticles are allotropes of carbon with a nanostructure that can have a length-to diameter ratio greater than 1,000,000. They exhibit extraordinary strength, unique electrical properties, and are efficient conductors of heat which is why they enhance the polymer giving it heat sensing capabilities. To sense temperature, sensors will be embedded under the

polyimide layer. The object is to transfer heat as quickly as possible from the polymer surface to the sensors which will be done by the carbon nanoparticles. In 2006, it was shown that a heat pulse travels 20 times faster in a polymer containing the nanoparticle array than in the pure polymer. The overall goal of the synthetic skin is to make it so that the nanoparticle can measure a force as small as 0.1 newton and differentiate a spatial resolution between two pinpricks 2 millimeters apart, however the nanotube composite is not that sensitive yet. Innovative researchers are working day in and day out trying to make this brilliant idea a reality. It is a daunting task, the researchers will essentially have to write information into the nervous system, but, there is strong evidence that one day soon, everybody with a prosthetic arm will be able to have a sense of touch again.

Works Cited: Brust, Gregory. "Polyimides." Polyimides. PSLC, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013. "Carbon Nanotube." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 June 2013. Web. 10 Dec. 2013. "What Are Nanoparticles?" Malvern. Malvern, n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013. Melanson, Donald. "Researchers Say New Development Could Give Artificial Skin a Wider Range of Senses." Engadget. Engadget, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013. "Nanoparticle." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Aug. 2013. Web. 16 Dec. 2013. Patel, Prachi. "Sensitive Synthetic Skin in the Works for Prosthetic Arms." IEEE Spectrum. Spectrum IEEE, 2 Jan. 2008. Web. 10 Dec. 2013. "Piezoelectricity." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 June 2013. Web. 10 Dec. 2013. Rosenstiel, Stephen F. "Prosthetics." Journal of Prosthetics. 6th ed. Vol. 110. N.p.: ScienceDaily, n.d. 435-550. Print. Zhange, Ren Yun, and Hkan Olin. "Gold-carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites:synthesis and Applications." Apachepersonal. Mid Sweden University, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013.