Scientists have taken inspiration from underwater invertebrates like jellyfish to create an electronic skin with similar functionality. Like a jellyfish, the electronic skin is transparent, stretch-able, touch-sensitive, and self-healing in aquatic environments. The new material overcomes key obstacles that self-healing electronic skins have yet to overcome - they are not transparent and do not work efficiendy when wet. These drawbacks make them less useful for electronic applications such as touch-screens, which often need to be used in wet weather conditions. Researchers looked to make an artificial material that could mimic the transparency and water-resistant nature of jellyfish and yet also be touch-sensitive. The new gel consists of a fluorocarbon-based polymer with a fluorine-rich ionic liquid. When combined, the polymer network interacts with the ionic liquid via highly reversible ion-dipole interactions, which allows it to self-heal. Most conductive polymer gels such as hydrogels swell when submerged in water or dry out over time in air. The new gel can retain its shape in both wet and dry surroundings including sea water and acidic or alkaline environments.
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