Cover Media
Researchers develop groundbreaking technology that gives us “spider sense”
Researchers create innovation that could give you “Spider-senses”. Researchers have developed a method to print ultra-thin sensors on fingers to give you enhanced senses just like Spider-Man. The adaptable and environmentally friendly sensors can be printed unnoticed directly on a variety of biological surfaces, including fingers and flower petals. The method, developed by researchers at Cambridge University, is inspired by spider silk, which adapts and sticks to a variety of surfaces. These “spider silks” also incorporate bioelectronics, allowing the “spider webs” to be given a variety of sensing capabilities. The fibers, at least 50 times thinner than a human hair, are so lightweight that researchers could print them directly on the fluffy seed heads of dandelions without losing their structure. When printed on human skin, the textile sensors adapt to the skin and expose sweat pores, so the wearer is unaware of their presence. Tests of the textiles printed on human fingers suggest they could be used as continuous health monitors, but enhanced senses could also fundamentally change the way we interact with the world. Just like Marvel comic book characters!
