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Researchers in Germany have developed a new type of ultra-thin electronic skin (e-skin) capable of detecting magnetic fields through a single, centralized sensor—paving the way for advanced touchless control systems, robotic tactile sensing, and assistive technologies.
In contrast to earlier designs that relied on arrays of individual sensors and complex electronics, the new e-skin system uses one global sensor surface and a central processor. Inspired by the way skin and the brain cooperate to process touch, the innovation combines simplicity, flexibility, and energy efficiency in a single membrane, according to Interesting Engineering.
The e-skin is composed of three integrated elements: a transparent, breathable base layer that conforms to the body; a magnetosensitive layer that covers the entire surface and reacts to nearby magnetic sources; and a centralized unit that interprets those magnetic signals. When a magnetic field is detected, the sensor layer experiences a change in electrical resistance, which the processor uses to pinpoint the location of the magnetic source—similar to how the brain decodes input from the skin.
To achieve precise spatial mapping, the system utilizes a tomography-inspired signal analysis technique—akin to those used in MRI and CT imaging—enabling accurate reconstructions of where and how the magnetic interaction occurs. This approach resolves previous limitations of low signal sensitivity in traditional magnetosensitive materials.
One of the most notable aspects of the design is its ability to operate in harsh environments—wet, cold, or sterile—without needing physical contact. This makes it ideal for applications ranging from gesture-based control of devices in outdoor or medical settings, to robotic sensing in underwater or hazardous locations.
The system also holds promise in human assistive technologies. For instance, visually impaired users could benefit from enhanced spatial awareness via magnetic cues, while prosthetic users might control touchscreens through magnet-equipped gloves, bypassing the limitations of capacitive sensing.
This magnetic e-skin marks a major step forward in soft robotics and wearable interfaces. With commercial viability on the horizon, it opens new avenues for interaction between humans, machines, and digital systems. The findings are detailed in Nature Communications.
