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The Effects of Synthetic Skin

With all of the advances being made in artificial limb technology, such as the creation of functional, cybernetic limbs, there are even more advances planned to make these limbs more functional and realistic. One of these advances is the creation of synthetic skin, which will provide the limb with the ability to feel--and to conduct that feeling--into the nervous system of the person connected to the artificial limb.

  1. Natural Look

    • While there are functioning, bionic limbs used by amputees, the prosthetics are definitely artificial-looking. Metallic, and often a dull color, they may function like the real thing, but there is no mistaking them for a real arm. Coating this bionic limb in synthetic skin will give them a more natural look so that those who use these prosthetics will be able to fit in better. Additionally, the synthetic skin can be customized to match the user's skin tone. This synthetic skin is very resistant (having originally been meant for use on the outside of airplanes), and it's not something that will need constant replacement.

    Sensation

    • The synthetic skin that's being developed for use on artificial limbs will also provide the users with sensation. Pressure, heat, cold, and other sensations will be passed through the skin, to the limb, and then into the wearer's brain. This amazing feat is accomplished through hundreds of sensors that will be implanted in the skin. The sensors give off an electric charge, which moves to the limb itself and then into the wearer's nervous system just like a regular limb would do. This will provide greater functionality that a limb that responds to the user's thoughts, but which is otherwise numb.

    Protection

    • Cybernetic prosthetics are sensitive machines. While they're more than functional enough to grab a credit card or to open a door, they're still fairly delicate machines. Things like spilled liquids, rain, or other accidents could leak into the various components and ruin the limb's functional properties. Synthetic skin, much like natural skin on real limbs, helps prevent this from happening. As a coating over the cybernetic prosthetic, the synthetic skin provides a buffer between the actual machine and any hazards that it might come into contact with.

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