Nanowerk May 11, 2023
Researchers in the Netherlands recreated the unique human ability of extensive perspiration and controlled friction in self-assembled cholesteric liquid crystals, mimicking the natural processes that occur in the dermis and epidermis of human skin. It was achieved by inducing porosity in responsive, liquid-bearing material through the controlled-polymerization phase-separation process. The unique topography of human fingerprints was further emulated in the materials by balancing the parallel chirality-induced force and the perpendicular substrate-anchoring force during synthesis. As a result, artificial fingertips were capable of secreting and re-absorbing liquid upon light illumination. By demonstrating the function of the soft material in a tribological aspect, it exhibited a controllable anti-sliding property comparable to human fingertips and subsequently attained a higher degree of biomimicry. According to the researchers the biomimetic fingertip could be applied in a multitude of fields, ranging from biomedical instruments to interactive, human-like soft robotic devices… read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Formation of fingerprint topography on the artificial fingertips…. Credit: Advanced Materials, Volume 35, Issue 18, 2209729Â