Chinese scientists have developed a flexible, fast self-healing material powered by bacteria that can be turned into wearable devices that help control artificial limbs or exoskeletons.
The study, published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology, saw the researchers combine two types of engineered bacteria in specific proportions to make a hydrosol-like fabric. Researchers from Shenzhen advanced technology institutes within the Chinese Academy of Sciences attached a fragment of antigen to the membrane of one bacterium and a fragment of antibody to another.
According to the study, the antigen and antibody fragments stick together, allowing the fabric to heal itself quickly when torn. Leveraging the material's rapid recovery capability, the research group has created wearable sensors that can detect bioelectric or biomechanical signals from the human body.
The study showed that the electrical conductivity of the stretchable fabric remains constant through repeated stretching or bending, so that it can accurately capture electrical signals from the muscles and instantly assess the user's movement intentions.
According to the study, wearable devices based on the material can control artificial limbs or exoskeletons more effectively than conventional sensors. The scientists also engineered the bacteria with specific catalysts, which made the material capable of reducing pesticides to low-toxic chemicals.
Source: China International Radio
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