Stretchable, soft, and thermally conductive polydimethylsiloxane embedding hyaluronic acid for artificial tactile sensory evaluation

In this study, we developed an advanced skin-like material by incorporating hyaluronic acid (HA) into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to enhance its elasticity and stretchability. This combination also results in a 2.77-fold improvement in thermal conductivity due to the inclusion of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). Furthermore, the elasticity of the material can be tailored by adjusting HA concentration during the synthesis process, simulating the mechanical properties of skin. To mitigate the surface stickiness caused by the HA solution, an etched mold was used during fabrication. The resulting skin-mimicking substrate offers a precise and sensitive platform for evaluating frictional and tactile variations in cosmetic applications. This enables a more accurate representation using recently developed sensory evaluation equipment. Overall, this innovative system not only provides artificial sensory experiences but also a time-and cost-efficient alternative to conventional clinical testing.