Electronic skins for robotics and wearables

Описание: Joint African Materials Research Society/International Union of Materials Research Societies Monthly Webinar Series

Talk: Electronic skins for robotics and wearables

Speaker: Prof. Takao Someya [Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Japan]

Abstract
The human skin functions as a multi-point, multi-modal, and flexible sensor, and has inspired the development of electronic skin for robots capable of detecting pressure and temperature patterns simultaneously. With continued advancements in flexibility and material integration, electronic skin has progressed beyond its original role in robotics and is now central to next-generation wearable technologies for humans. Technology has reached a stage where ultra-thin semiconductor membranes can be directly laminated onto the skin, allowing for seamless integration with the human body. This enables continuous, long-term health monitoring and supports the advancement of personalized medical care. The ultimate goal of electronic skin is to non-invasively capture human activities in natural settings, creating an interactive interface between electronic systems and human physiology.
In this presentation, Prof Someta will introduce recent progress in stretchable thin-film electronics, with a focus on their applications in robotics and emerging healthcare wearables. He will also discuss the current challenges and explore future prospects for electronic skin technologies.

Short Biography
Dr. Takao Someya is Executive Director and Vice President and Professor at the University of Tokyo. He also serves as Director General of the Division of University Corporate Relations, with oversight of startup initiatives. He is recognized as an inventor of electronic skins, which was featured in TIME Magazine as one of the best inventions of the year in 2005. His current research focuses on next-generation wearables with organic electronics for application to healthcare, biomedical, and robotics.
He has also held distinguished appointments, including Global Scholar at Princeton University, GlobalFoundries Visiting Professor at the National University of Singapore, and Hans Fisher Senior Fellow at the Technical University of Munich.
The Fujihara Award has recently been added to the list of honors recognizing his achievements, alongside the 16th Leo Esaki Prize and the Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 2019. He served as the 2024 President of the Materials Research Society in the US, the first to be elected to the position from Asia.