Summer isn’t the only thing bringing the heat. Recently, a research team integrated a temperature regulation system into artificial skin that could give prosthetics a lifelike temperature. While technological advances have successfully replicated the texture and firmness of real skin by simulating it’s exterior, fatty, and muscle layers, minimal research has been conducted that addresses skin temperature, which is an essential aspect of the tactile experience. The study aimed to address temperature challenges faced by the users of prosthetic hands.
The team used a method that integrates a temperature regulation system into artificial skin, drawing inspiration from the human body’s natural temperature control via blood flow. A fiber network simulates blood vessels within the artificial skin. Water flows through the fibers under specific temperature and flow conditions, forming a controlled heat release system.
In testing, researchers found that the prosthetic hands could achieve a more natural temperature, reducing the discomfort typically felt in direct contact with synthetic limbs. The innovative technique facilitates further advancements, blurring the lines between artificial aids and natural biological systems.
The open-access study, “Thermoregulatory integration in hand prostheses and humanoid robots through blood vessel simulation,”was published in Nature.