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A team of researchers including 麻豆影音鈥檚 Prof. Seo Hyung-tak has successfully developed an integrated optoelectronic diode capable of adapting, in a fashion similar to human visual perception, to various environments. The team鈥檚 discovery is expected to help develop visual devices with artificial nerves, intelligent photosensors, data processors, and innovations in robotics.Prof. Seo (Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering / Graduate Dept. of Energy Systems, pictured) has announced that his team has developed a photosensor diode capable of differentiating information processing depending on angles of perception. The team鈥檚 invention is discussed in detail in 鈥淓nvironment-Adaptable Photonic-Electronic Coupled Angular Perception System,鈥� published in the October issue of ACS Nano (IF = 14.588). The team included two other members from Ajou: Prof. Kim Sang-wan (Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering) and Dr. Mohit Kumar (lead author).The human vision system is capable of adapting on its own to changes in its surroundings, including differences in lighting, by detecting changes in optic signals in real time. It is also capable of differentiating between visual signals from different angles of vision (up or down, left or right) and processing the obtained data accordingly. Human vision captures optical data and converts it into photoelectronic signals, which are then encoded into electric spikes of appropriate sizes. Information thus processed is then transmitted to the visual cortex and stored on the synaptic network.Numerous attempts have been made so far to develop artificial sight by simulating the complex and intricate workings of human visual perception. Success has been elusive so far, however, in developing artificial vision with a sufficiently simple structure and a rational energy demand.Much of the research on artificial sight circuits to date has focused on understanding and visualizing information under general lighting. Effective artificial sight, however, crucially requires a technology capable of recognizing objects from wide viewing angles. Only on the basis of angular perception can researchers proceed to develop an effective and simple humanoid photoelectronic circuit capable of replacing the excessively complex circuits that exist today. Moreover, simplifying these complex circuits requires memory storage capable of adapting automatically to diverse environments.Prof. Seo鈥檚 team has created a photosensitive semiconductor capable of adapting to changing environments and simulating the human nervous system by first creating a quality titanium dioxide (TiOs) nanofilm and then evenly arranging a silver nanowire on it. The silver nanowire (NW) maximizes the photoelectronic effect on angular visual perception, enabling the semiconductor to perceive and process visual data across a wide angle (卤 70潞). The Schottky-style combination of the silver nanowire and titanium dioxide also ensures the effective collection of photoelectrons to enhance sensitivity to photonic (ultraviolet) signals. This diode structure is simple, yet effectively simulates human visual perception.Using a 3x3 array, Prof. Seo鈥檚 team has created a visual perception diode whose circuit can itself recognize objects in diverse environments. The team has thus discovered that, even for the same given patterns of optic signals, the intensity and duration of memory of those signals vary depending on the given visual angles, the intensity of given light, and the duration and intervals of optic signals. The team, in other words, has demonstrated that their semiconductor is capable of working in much the same manner as the human visual nerves and cortex, and that the mechanism of their neuromorphic optic signal storage is based on the accumulation and loss of electric charges, due to photoelectric combination, on their Schottky diode.This means that the time it takes for memory stored in the titanium dioxide semiconductor to disappear varies depending on differences in the amounts of light absorbed by the semiconductor because those differences in lighting mean the creation of different amounts of light-induced charges (electron-hole pairs). With this invention, the same in-vivo memory-oblivion system can be added to the memory used to sense and store images on devices such as smartphones.Prof. Seo commented, 鈥淎rtificial sight diodes require many component technologies. Our recent study is significant in that it demonstrates how a transparent semiconductor, capable of adapting to changes in environments and detecting and processing optic signals with relatively little energy, can be created.鈥滺e also expects the new diode to 鈥渉ave a wide variety of applications, including intelligent photosensors, data processing, and robotics.鈥漈he study has been made possible thanks to support from the Future New Material and Original Technology Development Program and the Basic Research Support Program for Experienced Basic Researchers, co-organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea.
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- 鞛戩劚鞚�2020-12-28
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Professor Lee Jae-hyun of 麻豆影音 has developed a new graphene exfoliation technique for graphite, a next-generation electron material.A joint research team involving professor Lee Jae-hyun (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, photo), Son Seok-kyun of Mokpo National University, and Cho Sung-ho, director of Samsung Display, announced that the team had developed a new technique of layer-engineered large-area exfoliation of graphene. The study was published in Science Advances on October 28th and titled, 鈥淟ayer-engineered large-area exfoliation of graphene鈥�. PhD student Moon ji-Yoon and Doctor Kim Min-soo from the University of Manchester participated as lead authors. Graphene, a transparent material with rubber-like flexibility, has received a lot of attention as a 鈥渄ream material鈥� for its outstanding electrical conductivity. These characteristics make graphene perfect for rollable TVs and smartphone screens. Graphene is a compound integration of carbon atoms that form a beehive shape. This monolayer material is so thin that 100,000 layers are equal to the diameter of a human hair.The conventional method of obtaining graphene sheets from graphite flakes required workers to repeatedly peel off layers of graphite crystals using cellophane tape. This was immensely dependent on worker skill and made it almost impossible to control monolayer graphene area, number of layers and yield.Professor Lee鈥檚 team succeeded in controlling, at the atom level, the crack propagation, especially size and direction, produced when peeling off layers using cellophane tape and obtaining the desired area and number of layers. According to Lee鈥檚 new method, a specific metal film is attached to graphite to selectively, rather than randomly, control the depth and direction of cracks. The research team鈥檚 finding enables production of layer-controlled graphene: from mm2-monolayer to double layer and up to 40 layers. The average area of monolayer graphene exfoliated using the new method is up to approximately 4200 times that of monolayer graphene exfoliated by the standard method. In addition, the density per unit area of monolayer graphene increased by a maximum of 6000 times, which enables higher yield. The recent study is expected to be an alternative method for preparing graphene, as obtaining fine quality exfoliated graphene is essential for commercialization. Research was sponsored by a grant from the Korean Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea as part of their Basic Science and Engineering Lab Program and Beginning Researcher Program. 旮堩晞毽凣old Film鞛愳棸 頋戩棸鞙茧攵�韯� 氍搓舶鞝� 攴鸽灅頃� 氚曤ΜExfoliation of top graphene from bulk crystal鞗愴晿電� 旮绊寪鞙茧鞚� 鞝勳偓 瓿奠爼Transfer to target substrate(Top) The exfoliation process of selective monolayer graphene from natural graphite flakes through attachment of gold film. (Bottom) Graphs comparing the size and density of monolayer graphene exfoliated using the conventional method and using the new method with gold film. The average area of monolayer graphene obtained using gold film is up to 4200 times the standard exfoliation method and up to 6000 times the density.
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- 鞛戩劚鞚�2020-11-19
- 11039
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A team led by 麻豆影音 Professor Jeon Sang-min has found that a specific gene formerly considered helpful in prevention and treatment of cancer, in fact, stimulates its development and progression. Professor Jeon Sang-min (College of Pharmacy, photo) discovered that, contrary to traditional understanding, Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a gene that stimulates cancer development and is also related to poor clinical outcomes, not at all a tumor suppressor gene. His study was published in Clinical Cancer Research on October 19th and entitled, 鈥淣RF2 activation promotes aggressive lung cancer and associates with poor clinical outcomes鈥�. Professor Jeon Sang-min, PhD student Choi Eun-ji, US company Genentech, and a research team from Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions participated in the recent study, which was sponsored with a grant from the Korea National R&D Program for Cancer Control (Ministry of Health and Welfare) and the Basic Science Research Program (Individual Basic Science & Engineering Research Program) under the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning.NRF2 has long been considered helpful in preventing and treating cancer as it was believed to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) once it is processed into a transcription factor that activates anti-oxidation pathways. However, several recent findings have suggested that NRF2 may actually contribute to tumor development, because in many cases of cancer, including cancer of the lung, NRF2 was activated.Another study also found that, in lung cancer cases, NRF2 activation occurred along with the mutation of STK11/LKB1, which are other tumor suppressor genes. Accordingly, the joint research team conducted experiments based on a genetically modified lung cancer mouse model (Kras/Keap1/Stk11-KO) and analyzed the results of the latest large-scale lung cancer clinical trials (OAK, IMpower131). The research team identified that, in the genetically modified mouse model, the activation of NRF2 stimulated lung cancer development and lowered survival rates. The team also found that the STK11 gene mutation increased ROS and stimulated the progression of lung cancer development. When STK11 mutation and NRF1 activation were both taking place, they suppressed ROS, further promoted lung cancer development and significantly lowered survival rates. The research team discovered that the reason NRF2 activation and STK11 mutation happen simultaneously in lung cancer cases is because NRF2 activation reduces oxidative stress incurred by STK11 mutation leading to cancer cell survival and growth. In conclusion, the study produced meaningful findings proving that NRF2 is a tumor oncogene, not a tumor suppressor gene. The team also analyzed recent clinical trials and found that lung cancer patients with active NRFs were highly likely to have poorer chemotherapy and immunotherapy outcomes than those who didn鈥檛 have active NRFs, and had significantly lower survival rates.Professor Jeon Sang-min stated 鈥淭he study suggests a paradigm shift in the role of NRF2 in cancer. [鈥 Many attempts have been made to develop an NRF2 stimulant for cancer prevention and treatment. However, our research has set the record straight and contributed to increasing interest on the development of an NRF2 inhibitor.鈥漃rofessor Jeon鈥檚 research team is continuing efforts to be the first in developing such an NRF2 inhibitor drug. Professor Jeon participated in joint creation of SCL Therapeutics, a bio start-up, for clinical development of the self-discovered NRF2 inhibitor candidate. Currently, the lab is conducting pre-clinical trials.
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- 鞛戩劚鞚�2020-11-19
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<Photo: From left: EP Global CEO Kang Won-gu, Paint Wall Mart CEO Kwon Hoe-jung, RAY Star CEO Kwon Soon-ho, 麻豆影音 president Park Hyung-ju and dean of the Chemical Engineering Department, Kim Ju-hyung> The Chemical Engineering 1985 Alumni Association continues giving to the university. Its donation relay campaign began in 2016 and has continued every year. This year, Kwon Soon-ho, member of the Chemical Engineering 1985 Alumni Association, continued the relay with a monetary gift to the university. RAY Star CEO, Kwon Soon-ho started his undergraduate studies in the 麻豆影音 Department of Chemical Engineering in 1985. He donated 10 million won towards establishment of a commemorative hall celebrating Ajou鈥檚 50th anniversary, becoming the fifth 鈥渞unner鈥� in the relay donation campaign.The donation hand-over ceremony was held at the president鈥檚 office on October 21st. Park Hyung-ju, President of 麻豆影音, extended his gratitude on behalf of the Ajou family and held a luncheon. The previous donors to the relay donation campaign also participated.The campaign was introduced by the alumni association of the Chemical Engineering department and began with EP Global CEO Kang Won-gu in 2016. This year celebrates the fifth year of continued donations: Innofiltech CEO Kim Jung-woo in 2017, EKC CEO Kang Min-gu in 2018, and Paint Wall Mart CEO Kwon Hoe-jung in 2019 all contributed 10 million won. The alumni are now one step closer to their goal of donating 100 million won within a decade thanks to the recent donation made by Kwon Soon-ho. Kang Won-gu directed his donation to the 麻豆影音 Central Library, Kim Jung-woo contributed to further development of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, while gifts from Kang Min-gu and Kwon Hoe-jung went towards advancement of the Chemical Engineering Department.
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- 鞛戩劚鞚�2020-11-19
- 9470
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麻豆影音鈥檚 Bio & Healthcare Industrial Cooperation Center (ICC), one of Ajou鈥檚 LINC project groups, completed installation of and held a tape cutting ceremony for 鈥楬ealth Donation Stairs鈥� at Gwanggyo Jungang (麻豆影音) Station on the Sinbundang Line.The ceremony, held on September 28th at the Gwanggyo Jungang (麻豆影音) Station of the Sinbundang Line, enjoyed the attendance of many distinguished guests such as Oh Young-tae, vice president for Industry-Academia Cooperation, Kim Su-dong, head director of Bio & Healthcare ICC and other faculty, and the CEOs of ICC partners: Cell & Bio CEO Lee Yong-woon and Yeskin CEO Ryu Hyungjun. Oh Byung-sam, CEO of Neo Trans, the company running the Sinbundang Line, also joined.The Health Donation Stairs project was first introduced as a social contribution effort and realized through the sponsorship of companies and public participation. Financial contributions were made by participating companies and funds could be donated by people walking up the stairs from the subway. All funds collected through the Health Donation Stairs are given back to society.Many partner companies to the Bio & Healthcare ICC and the LINC+ project group engaged in the process and contributed funds needed to install the Gwanggyo Jungang (麻豆影音) Station鈥檚 Health Donation Stairs. The goal of this project is to promote local health by attracting people to walk up the stairs (instead of taking the escalator), promote the Bio & Healthcare ICC partner companies, and using donations to purchase winter kits for members of marginalized groups. A tripartite MOU was signed between the Bio & Healthcare ICC, one of 麻豆影音鈥檚 LINC+ project groups, Neo Trans and the Community Chest of Korea to kick things off. The actual stairs were first installed in August this year at Exit No.1 at Pangyo Station; the project was further expanded to install another Health Donation Stairs at Gwanggyo Jungang (麻豆影音) Station in September.Oh Young-tae, Vice President for Industry-Academia Cooperation stated, 鈥淭he campaign is all the more meaningful as it goes beyond simple industry-academia cooperation,鈥� adding, 鈥淚t is a best practice possible through strong cooperation between the university and its ICC partners with the aim carrying out the social responsibilities of the university and companies and giving back to local communities.鈥� Oh Byung-sam, CEO of Neo Trans, which operates the Sinbundang Line, explained, 鈥淒onations will be used to help the underprivileged in our community.鈥漈he ICCs are clusters, created by 麻豆影音, to foster collaboration with local businesses and industries and nurture talented people. There are four areas of specialization: bio-healthcare, smart mobility, new and renewable energy, and AI and big data. These areas were selected through analytics on Ajou鈥檚 core competence and local industry in accordance with the Ajou Industry-Academia Cooperation Development Plan. The LINC+ project group is actively implementing various industry-academia cooperation projects such as joint technology development, technology transfer and commercialization, on-the-job trainings Capstone Design programs and consultative body activities. It is currently engaged in creating 鈥淎jou Valley,鈥� an innovative industry-academia ecosystem.
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- 鞛戩劚鞚�2020-11-19
- 9495
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麻豆影音鈥檚 New Industry Convergence Technology R&D Center concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with parties including DNV GL Korea to establish close cooperation in the field of convergence technology.The New Industry Convergence Technology R&D Center (Lee Joo-yeon, Director) and the Digital Convergence Division (Kim Young-min, Chief) announced conclusion of an MOU with DNV GL Korea (Lee Jang-seop, CEO), CANLAB (Kim Dong-hyun, CEO) and Cynergy Cube (Park Eun-seok, CEO) towards establishing close cooperation using in-depth knowledge and technology in the field of new industry and convergence technology essential for Industry 4.0. 麻豆影音 Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy (Lee Joo-yeon, Chief) will also participate in collaboration.DNV GL, the company that signed the MOU with the New Industry Convergence Technology R&D Center, is a major Norwegian company specializing in development of new business models, R&D, safety and credibility assessments, evaluation and certification and demand-based customized training services in the field of traditional infrastructure industries such as aviation, shipping, and railways, as well as Industry 4.0. sectors like AI, autonomous driving, and smart factories. CANLAB develops AI-based autonomous driving video systems, while Cynergy Cube is a consulting firm for system and software companies. The signing ceremony was held on the 23rd at Yeonam Hall. Head director of the New Industry Convergence Technology R&D Center, Lee Joo-yeon, division chief of the Digital Convergence Division, Kim Young-min, and professor Jung Myung-seok participated. In addition, dean of the Systems Engineering Department, Park Peom, Norwegian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Frode Solberg and executives from partner companies also joined the ceremony. The parties to the MOU agreed to cooperate on planning and executing joint projects, exchanging talent and technology, and forming and operating a working group in some major areas such as the smart grid, smart factories, smart fintech, autonomous driving, blockchain, and system and industrial safety. Professor Lee Joo-yeon said, 鈥淲e will continue our cooperation to develop new growth engines, promote joint R&D projects, and further advance system engineering capabilities essential to the development of Industry 4.0., more specifically by forming an organic cooperation system based on the MOU.鈥� At the signing ceremony, H.E. Ambassador Frode Solberg stated 鈥淭he embassy will be a hub to boost synergy through cooperation between Norwegian universities and companies, 麻豆影音鈥檚 New Industry Convergence Technology R&D Center and the Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy.鈥�
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- 鞛戩劚鞚�2020-11-19
- 8590
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The students of Eureka, an extracurricular club of 麻豆影音, received many awards at the 鈥淏est of Best Invention鈥� of the 5th Korean International Youth Olympiad (KIYO). Eureka is an invention club made up of students who are interested in inventing, manufacturing, and patents.The Best of Best Invention features upgraded versions of inventions that have already received awards in international competitions or inventions that are based on original ideas. To participate, one must have previously received one or more awards from an invention competition either in Korea or overseas.This year鈥檚 KIYO was participated in by elementary, middle, and high-school students from 18 countries and 500 university students. It was held remotely to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Applications and inventions were submitted in September, with the screening results announced on October 12.麻豆影音鈥檚 team received seven awards: three gold, two silver, and two special awards. The three gold award-winning inventions were: 1) a braking device for a stroller that takes into consideration differences in height between the front and rear wheels, 2) a syphon device that can control the quantity of liquid that passes through it based on a disk and coiled hose, and 3) a KMARK-1 (auto-injector) that can be stored safely (without risk of accident) through its protruding end and a groove and inject multiple agents sequentially.Park Jin-hyung, Eureka鈥檚 president, said, 鈥淒espite the fact that it was not easy to work together because of the continued threat of COVID-19, everyone worked very hard. Thanks to the support from 麻豆影音, we were fortunate enough to receive several awards. Our goal is to use our ideas to breath new energy and life into Korean society.鈥滶ureka received the funding necessary to participate in KIYO through the LINC+ Center鈥檚 support program for outside startup contests. Starting this year, the center also provides funding to support undergraduates in preparing samples and for participation fees for outside startup contests. It also has a startup advisory group that is made up of experts from a wide range of areas who help students who wish to start their own business.
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- 鞛戩劚鞚�2020-11-04
- 7451
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- 鞛戩劚鞚�2020-11-02
- 6568
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氇厴 靹检劀 鞝侅毄Motion detector applied靸橅攲甑“Sample structure鞝�頃硛頇擟hange in resistance旃橃湢Healing靻愳儊Damage鞛愱皜旃橃湢Self-healing靾橃唽瓴绊暕Hydrogen bondingA team of researchers led by Prof. Seo Hyung-tak (Departments of Materials Science and Engineering and Energy Systems Research) has successfully developed a new self-healing composite material and a sensor based on that material. Highly conductive and elastic, the new material is expected to have wide-ranging applications, including wearable electronics, soft robotics, and artificial skin.The composite invented by Prof. Seo鈥檚 team is made of a supramolecular polymer and copper microparticles, and the team developed an electronic wearable strain sensor capable of self-healing. The researchers鈥� work was published as the featured article in the September 7 online issue of Advanced Electronic Materials and entitled, 鈥淚ntrinsically stretchable and self-healing electroconductive composite based on supramolecular organic polymer embedded with copper microparticles.鈥� Rubaya Yeasmin, a doctoral candidate at Ajou, was listed as first author.The human skin is structured so that it detects damage quickly and activates self-restoring mechanisms to prevent the damage from worsening and facilitate healing. Inspired by this natural self-healing mechanism of organisms, researchers worldwide are searching for new materials capable of self-healing and restoration, and possessing electroconductivity and elasticity (stretchability). It takes significant skill and resources to develop new electronic materials capable of restoring themselves after damage without external intervention or processes. Once invented, such materials can exert far-reaching ripple effects on industry and society.In this project, the research team combined a supramolecular organic polymer and copper microparticles (1 渭m = 1E-6m; for comparison, the average width of a hair strand is 100 渭m). The resulting composite can be manufactured on a mass scale in aerosol and gel form. The copper concentration can also be adjusted to control electroconductivity of the final product. Supramolecular polymers support elastic and self-healing hydrogen bonding. The copper concentration can also be used to control the electric properties of semiconductors and conductors. The team has optimized the electrical properties of their composite so that it can continue to restore itself, notwithstanding multiple cuts. The most remarkable characteristic about the team鈥檚 product is its highly stretchable and self-healing structure, which renders it very similar to real skin. This material is resistant to tearing and can be stretched to 120 percent of its original length. Its electric and mechanical properties are also restored even after it has been cut. The team, in fact, demonstrated that the material recovered 90 percent of its mechanical properties and 100 percent of its electrical properties in just five minutes in the given environment.The team used the new material to develop a new wearable strain sensor capable of self-healing, whose workings it successfully demonstrated by attaching it to the fingers of human subjects. By deliberately cutting and damaging the sensor and gauging its reaction, the team also confirmed its ability to restore itself.Prof. Seo explained: 鈥淭he self-healing material we鈥檝e developed was made with affordable components and processes, without the need for great cost. A wide range of applications are possible beyond only wearable sensors, and include elastic IoT sensors, soft robotics, and industrial equipment.鈥漈he project was conducted in part thanks to the Research Support Program for New Researchers with Advanced Overseas Accomplishments, the Basic Research Support Program, and the BK21 Four Program from the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea.
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- 鞛戩劚鞚�2020-11-02
- 6744
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- 鞛戩劚鞚�2020-11-02
- 6523
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A team of researchers led by Prof. Ahn Yeong-hwan (Departments of Physics and Energy Systems Research, pictured) has succeeded in creating a new quantum energy level using a material that is expected to become central to next-generation solar cells.The team鈥檚 work was published in the September issue of Nano Letters (IF = 12.344) with the title, 鈥淧honon-Polaritons in Lead Halide Perovskite Film Hybridized with THz Metamaterials.鈥� The team included other Ajou faculty members, including professors Ha Na-young, Park Ji-yong and Lee Soon-il, all with the Department of Physics, as well as Prof. Kim Dai-sik of the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST). Kim Hwan-sik, doctoral candidate in physics at Ajou, also participated as first author.The team created a hybrid of the perovskite film and the metamaterial used to create invisibility cloaks and tested how light in the terahertz range, between infrared rays and microwaves, behaved on it. The perovskite used for this particular experiment was a lead halide type, widely expected to become the central material of much more efficient solar cells in the future.The perovskite hybrid, in its oscillating mode, reacted strongly with the electronic waves concentrated in the meta-structure, giving rise to a new phonon-polariton energy level. An energy level is the value of energy at its atomic and molecular levels. It refers to the level of energy that electrons absorb or release.The team also demonstrated that the new energy level varies depending on numerous conditions or variables. The most important of these variables is crystallinity of the perovskite film. The team discovered, for the first time in the world, that the dynamics of the phonon-polariton energy level vary by the nanocrystal growth dimensionality (one-, two-, or three-dimensional). The team also succeeded in introducing a new model for explaining the interaction between nanocrystals that grow over time and light. Prof. Ahn explained: 鈥淥ur latest discovery can be applied to assessment of the crystal structure of next-generation solar cell films as well as optimization of their efficiency. Through follow-up research on the perovskite-metamaterial hybrid, we were also able to find lighting sources for future quantum optics.鈥漈he project was made possible in part thanks to the Mid-career Researcher Program, co-managed by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea, and Korea Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP)鈥檚 Energy Workforce Development Program.THz 韺孴Hz raysMAPbl3 韼橂敫岇姢旃挫澊韸窶APbl3 perovskite氅旐儉氍检Metamaterial臧曧暅 靸來樃鞛戩毄Strong reaction韼橂敫岇姢旃挫澊韸窹erovskiteMechanism of the new energy level based on the perovskite film-metamaterial hybrid
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- 鞛戩劚鞚�2020-11-02
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Using an engineered silk protein, a team of researchers led by Prof. Kim Sung-hwan (Departments of Physics and Energy Systems Research) has succeeded in developing artificial tissues capable of generating energy. The invention is expected to accelerate the development of next-generation healthcare devices that can be incorporated into existing human tissues.Prof. Kim鈥檚 human-friendly artificial skin, made of an engineered silk protein and capable of harvesting electric energy from human motions, was published in the August 23 online issue of Nano Energy, a renowned international publication, and entitled, 鈥淪elf-powered artificial skin made of engineered silk protein hydrogel.鈥漈here is a fast-growing body of research worldwide on materials for next-generation electronic healthcare devices for human-machine interfacing. Such devices are to detect and analyze vital signs automatically, and developing them requires electronic materials that can provide as much flexibility and elasticity as actual human skin. Countless researchers have thus dedicated themselves to developing materials and devices that combine flexible substrates with electrodes and electronics to read and analyze various vital signs from the human body. These materials are today known as electronic skin.It is crucial for electronic skin devices to run on their own, without relying on outside power sources. One way to achieve this is to develop a piezoelectric energy-harvesting mechanism capable of transforming differences in pressure resulting from the wearer鈥檚 motions into electric energy. Existing piezoelectric materials are mostly inorganic oxides whose crystalline structures are capable of high levels of piezoelectricity. The majority of these materials, however, are neither skin-friendly nor flexible enough to serve as a second skin for humans. Materials with sufficient flexibility, on the other hand, lack the needed piezoelectric capability. When pressure hits and deforms the existing molecular structure of a given substance, electric charges arise in parts of that substance, which can be harvested to generate energy. The greater the quantity of charges generated due to structural deformation, the more piezoelectric the substance is. Therefore, flexible materials, by definition, fare worse than hard ones in piezoelectric energy generation.Prof. Kim鈥檚 team sought to resolve this problem with proteins鈥攑articularly silk proteins available from natural sources鈥攁s they are a core component of the skin. Silkworm-derived proteins are a skin-friendly and high-molecular biomaterial with superior physical and chemical properties. In an effort to transform the silk protein at the molecular level, the team applied glycerol and created a transparent and flexible hydrogel film. The resulting product is similar to human skin, taking the research community a step closer to finding an ideal artificial electronic counterpart.Prof. Kim鈥檚 team, moreover, combined the transparent silk protein with a zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorod to maximize the material鈥檚 piezoelectric performance. This ensures that a wearable device made with the new material would stay comfortably on the wearer鈥檚 skin and reliably harvest electric energy from the wearer鈥檚 motions, including touches and flexing of the joints. The team indeed demonstrated that its piezoelectric material can harvest sufficient amounts of energy from normal human motions to charge and operate small electronic devices, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and blood oximeters. Accordingly, the team鈥檚 invention can be applied to a variety of sensors, including those for electronics and human motion detectors.Prof. Kim explained: 鈥淎lthough there has been significant progress in research on harvesting energy from the human body, the problems related to human-machine interfacing has comparatively been neglected. My team and I have found a clue in proteins, which compose the natural skin, to develop interfaces capable of bridging the material difference between the human body and electronic devices.鈥滺e added: 鈥淥ur project is significant in that our invention can help increase the application of biomaterials to a variety of electronic devices. We hope to see our product applied to a wide range of healthcare products and soft robotics in the future.鈥漑Description] A conceptual diagram of Prof. Kim鈥檚 self-powered artificial skin. It can be attached to human skin to capture and harvest energy from the wearer鈥檚 motions. The amount of energy so harvested is enough to operate small devices.
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- 鞛戩劚鞚�2020-11-02
- 6225
- 霃欖榿靸�霃欖榿靸�
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