Artificial sensing skin mimicking mechanoelectrical conversion properties of human dermis

Intrinsic mechanoelectrical conversion properties of skin tissues are investigated, and their origin is suggested to originate primarily from electrokinetic phenomena (streaming potentials) operating in the dermis. Human dermis is considered in analogy to other connective tissue as a biphasic, composite material in which the extracellular fluid permeates a negatively charged gel-like matrix of glycoproteins. A synthetic analog implementing a mechanoelectrical transduction mechanism thought to operate in dermis is realized. A biomorphic tactile sensor is devised and its dynamic transduction response is theoretically and experimentally analyzed. The streaming potential artificial skin appears to be particularly suited for applications in which ideal mechanical matching with body tissues or soft touch grasp are required.