Graphene helps tactility of solar powered prosthetic skin

Researchers at Glasgow University have developed a new way of generating solar power for robotic and prosthetic limbs using graphene.

Graphene is an atom-thick layer of material, which includes high conductivity as one of its numerous properties. The researchers have previously used graphene to build a pressure-sensitive electronic skin for prosthetic hands.

Now, in a paper published in Advanced Functional Materials, they demonstrate that another of graphene’s properties – its optical transparency - can also be harnessed for electricity generation. Around 98 per cent of the light that hits the material’s surface passes straight through it, according to Dr Ravinder Dahiya.

So by placing solar cells directly underneath the layer of graphene, electricity can be generated to power the synthetic skin, he said.

“If we fabricate a solar cell and transfer the skin on top of that, then the entire structure will be able to generate power, because light can enter through the skin, and it will also be touch sensitive,” said Dahiya.