Sensor Breakthrough: High Resolution Tactile Sensor

Scientists at the University of Nebrask have created a tactile sensor that is just as sensitive as a human fingertip. "The resolution of a human fingertip is about 40 microns, about half the diameter of a human hair."

The device works by sandwiching a layer of semicondcuting nano-particles between electrodes.

When the film touches a surface any pressure or stress squeezes the layers of particles together. This causes the current in the film to change and light is emitted from the particles, an effect known as "electroluminescence". The visible light is then detected by a camera.

Scientists are targeting a sensor like this towards robotic surgery, allowing the doctors to "feel" what they are touching without actually doing so.

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Sensor Breakthrough: High Resolution Tactile Sensor

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