Thermally Healable Conductive Hydrogel Composite for Artificial Skin

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional artificial skin fails to simultaneously meet the requirements of flexibility, electrical conductivity, healing property, and biocompatibility, with most candidates satisfying only one to three of these properties.

Innovation Solution

An electro-conductive hydrogel composite material is developed, comprising a hydrogen bond-based hydrogel with a cross-linkable polymer and an electro-conductive material, which allows for thermal healing and biocompatibility, achieved by dispersing electro-conductive particles like polypyrrole in a hydrogel network formed through hydrogen bonding, enabling flexibility and conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional artificial skin uses flexible substrate with embedded electronic devices, then flexibility and electrical conductivity are satisfied, but healing property and biocompatibility are not satisfied

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidhealing property

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by combining conductive polymers (for electrical conductivity) with hydrogel matrices (for flexibility and biocompatibility). This composite structure allows the artificial skin to simultaneously achieve electrical functionality, mechanical flexibility, and biological compatibility, resolving the contradiction between electronic functionality and biocompatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If hydrogel or synthetic polymer with healing properties is used, then healing property and biocompatibility are satisfied, but mechanical property and electrical conductivity are not satisfied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehealing propertyVSAvoidelectrical conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates conductive fillers (such as metal particles, carbon nanotubes, or conductive polymers) within the hydrogel matrix to create a composite material that simultaneously provides the healing properties of hydrogel and the electrical conductivity needed for sensory functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If material with self-healing electrical properties is used, then functionality and healing property are satisfied, but biocompatibility is not satisfied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehealing propertyVSAvoidbiocompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by selecting biocompatible conductive materials such as polypyrrole, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), or biocompatible metal particles, replacing toxic conductive materials while maintaining electrical conductivity and self-healing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If sensors are directly embedded onto biological skin, then mechanical property and functionality are satisfied, but healing property and biocompatibility are not satisfied

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidbiocompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a thin film or coating structure that can be applied directly to biological skin, providing sensory functionality through embedded sensors while maintaining flexibility and biocompatibility. The thin film design minimizes mechanical interference with skin movement and healing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The hydrogel composite material demonstrates flexibility comparable to biological skin, achieves electrical conductivity, and exhibits multiple cycles of thermal healing, while being non-toxic and biocompatible, thus satisfying all key requirements for artificial skin.

Implementation Method 1

a hydrogen bond-based hydrogel including water and a cross-linkable polymer capable of being cross-linked by hydrogen bonding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

an electro-conductive material dispersed in the hydrogen bond-based hydrogel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

cooling a heated dispersion liquid including a cross-linkable polymer capable of being cross-linked by hydrogen bonding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal activation: Heating

Implementation Method 4

cooling a heated dispersion liquid including a cross-linkable polymer capable of being cross-linked by hydrogen bonding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal cooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentUS9757496B2Thermally healable and reshapable conductive hydrogel composite

Publication Date: 2017.09.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electro-conductive hydrogel composite material that may be suitable as an artificial skin satisfies all four requirements of artificial skin, namely, flexibility, electrical conductivity, healing property, and biocompatibility. The electro-conductive hydrogel composite material includes a hydrogel composition including water and a cross-linkable polymer which reversibly forms cross-linkage by hydrogen bonding; and an electro-conductive material dispersed in the hydrogen bond-based hydrogel.