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Today, many advanced devices are being used on a large scale in the world of technology. But have you ever thought about a smartwatch or virtual reality glove that can heal itself if it gets scratched? Scientists have actually created a kind of “electronic skin” that can heal itself and even be recycled after use. Come, let us know about this technology in detail.

**What is electronic skin?**

According to media reports, scientists at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have created a soft and flexible device that can repair itself if it gets damaged. The main feature of this device is that it can keep electronic components safely in place and can also be recycled after use. The results of this research have been published in *Nature Sustainability* journal.

**Solving multiple problems at once**

To address these challenges, scientists developed a new material called “intrinsically dynamic biosubstrate” (IDBS). The aim was to create a base material that was flexible and durable, self-healing and reusable. To create this material, scientists used two natural substances: lipoic acid (which is found in living cells) and phytic acid (which is naturally present in seeds and grains). By heating these two materials together, a unique network was created, eliminating the need for dangerous solvents or external chemical catalysts. These materials contain different types of chemical bonds, and each bond contributes to the material's properties.

**A big challenge for wearable electronics**

Fitness trackers, smart health sensors, electronic skins and other wearable devices are becoming increasingly popular. These gadgets can withstand bending and stretching with body movements. Soft and flexible materials are used for this. However, constant bending, stretching and pressure can cause the very thin metal circuits inside them to separate. Sometimes even small cuts or cracks can render the sensors useless. Many flexible electronic materials are made from petroleum-based plastics, which are difficult to recycle after use.

**Self-healing after a cut**
The special thing is that the unique feature of this new material is its self-healing ability. When a material deteriorates, some of its bonds are broken, but it repairs itself. Through this process the material regains a large portion of its original strength. In lab tests, one version of this material was stretched to more than eight times its original length. Despite being badly damaged, it regained more than 80% of its strength in about six hours at room temperature. What's even more interesting is that the material retained more than 90% of its strength even after undergoing five damage and recovery cycles.

**Metal circuits remain tightly connected**
It is important to note that flexibility alone is not enough for wearable electronics; The metal conductors that transmit electrical signals must also be firmly attached to the base material. According to scientists, IDBS forms a stronger bond with metal than some commonly used flexible materials. This reduces the risk of electronic circuits breaking due to repeated bending or stretching. The team has also created several prototypes using the material, including an “electronic skin” that can measure temperature, exhaled moisture and body activity. In addition, he also created electrodes that can record heart and muscle activity.