Scientists develop artificial skin which could heal itself after damage

A group of scientists based in Australia have joined forces to create a new jelly-like material which they claim has the strength and durability of actual skin, ligaments, or even bone.

“With the special chemistry we’ve engineered in the hydrogel, it can repair itself after it has been broken like human skin can,” explains chemist Luke Connal from the Australian National University.

“Hydrogels are usually weak, but our material is so strong it could easily lift very heavy objects and can change its shape like human muscles do.”

READ ALSO: Nigerian govt moves to enforce guidelines for content development in ICT

Having a squishy material with such remarkable properties could be huge for the development of next-generation soft robotics and biomedical devices.

Creating a shape-changing hydrogel that has multiple functions has proved an ongoing challenge for scientists, even with natural inspiration from jellyfish, sea cucumbers, and Venus fly traps.

While some hydrogels can withstand mechanical stress, others have self-healing properties, and a few more have the abilities to memorise shapes or change colours.

As far as the ANU researchers know, no one else has been able to incorporate all these functions into one all-encompassing gel. At least, not at the speed and efficiency they’ve achieved.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now