A robotic hand with the AiFoam synthetically innervated wise foam, which enables it to sense objects in proximity by spotting their electrical fields and also self-heals if it gets cut, is envisioned at National University Singapores Materials Sciences and Engineering laboratory in Singapore on June 30, 2021. (Travis Teo, Reuters) SINGAPORE (Reuters)– Singapore researchers have established a clever foam material that allows robotics to sense close-by objects, and repairs itself when damaged, similar to human skin.Artificially innervated foam, or AiFoam, is a highly flexible polymer developed by blending fluoropolymer with a substance that reduces surface area tension.This permits the spongy material to fuse easily into one piece when cut, according to researchers at the National University of Singapore.” There are many applications for such a material, especially in robotics and prosthetic gadgets, where robots need to be a lot more smart when working around people,” discussed lead researcher Benjamin Tee.To replicate the human sense of touch, the scientists infused the product with microscopic metal particles and added tiny electrodes beneath the surface of the foam.This function allows the robotic hand to discover not just the quantity but likewise the instructions of applied force, potentially making robots more smart and interactive.Tee stated AiFoam is the first of its kind to combine both self-healing properties and distance and pressure picking up. After spending over 2 years establishing it, he and his group hope the material can be put to practical use within 5 years.” It can likewise enable prosthetic users to have more user-friendly use of their robotic arms when getting objects,” he said.– Reporting by Lee Ying Shan and Travis Teo; Writing by Xu Xiao; Editing by Karishma Singh and Stephen Coates × PhotosMore stories you might have an interest in