![This astonishing wearable touch pad could change everything [VIDEO]](https://bear-joneskilmartingr.netdna-ssl.com/news/wp-content/uploads/touch-pad.jpg)
A fascinating piece of technology developed by researchers is like no other touch pad you've ever seen before.
It’s one of the most incredible technological innovation you are likely to see today, and perhaps one of the most futuristic: a wearable touchpad you can attach to your arm and stretch up to 1,000 percent of its normal size, and it can be used to write words or play games.
This incredible thin touch bad is totally transparent and can be stretched and molded to your arm thanks to being made of something called hydrogel, which is a network of hydrophilic polymers that is a lot more stretchy than normal, rigid electronics. Even after being stretched to 1,000 percent of its normal size, the touch pad still functions just fine, according to a paper published in the journal Science.
The hydrogel uses lithium chloride salts, which act as a conductor. A circuit is closed in the hydrogel when somebody touches it, causing a current to flow from both ends of the strip to the touch point and allowing a command to be sent.
Scientists think this technology could result in “biocompatibility” and could allow such touch pads to be integrated with the human body in a futuristic way. It has a virtually unlimited number of practical uses.
“Using the touchpad, they were able to draw a stick figure, with the data conveyed onto a computer screen, according to a statement from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. “With the thin touchpad placed on their arms, they were able to write words and to play the piano and games. The touchpad was still able to operate when it was stretched to more than 1000% of its normal area. After 100 cycles the resistance was found to increase slightly, which the authors suggest may be due to water evaporation in the gel.”
Leave a Reply