A research team led by Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) has developed an innovative e-skin that can detect and precisely track magnetic fields using a single global sensor. This artificial skin is lightweight, transparent, and breathable and mimics how human skin and the brain interact with the environment.
Transparent magnetoreceptive e-skins for spatially continuous sensing over large areas. Image Credit: P. Makushko / HZDR
Initially designed for robotics, e-skins replicate some key functions of human skin, such as touch sensitivity. They've also been explored as sensory replacements for humans, with some variants capable of detecting chemical compounds or magnetic fields. However, many existing e-skins rely on bulky electronics and large batteries, limiting their practicality.
Previous technologies have used numerous individual sensors and transistors to localize sources of a magnetic field, similar to touch sensors in a smartphone display. Our idea was to develop a more energy-efficient system that is more akin to our soft human skin and thus better suited for humans.
Denys Makarov, Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf
Lighter, More Flexible, Smarter
To achieve this, the team replaced rigid electronic platforms with an ultrathin, flexible membrane just a few micrometers thick. This membrane is optically transparent and perforated, allowing air and moisture to pass through so the underlying skin can breathe—enhancing comfort for the user.
Because the thin membrane has limited space for electronics, the researchers integrated a magnetosensitive functional layer that acts as a single, unified sensor surface. When exposed to magnetic fields, this layer changes its electrical resistance. A central processor then analyzes these changes to determine the exact source of the magnetic signal. This not only mimics the way human skin and the nervous system work but also reduces energy consumption.
Artificial Skin for a Near-Human Sensory Experience
Such large-area magnetosensitive smart skins are a novelty.
Pavlo Makushko, Study First Author and PhD Student, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf
“Conceptually, e-skins now work more like the human body. No matter where I touch real skin, the signal always travels though nerves to the brain, which processes the signal and registers the point of contact. Our e-skins also have a single global sensor surface – just like our skin. And one single central processing unit reconstructs the signal – just like our brain,” added Makushko.
This is made possible using a method called tomography, commonly employed in MRI and CT scans. It reconstructs the origin of a signal by analyzing data from multiple points. While previously considered too insensitive for use with magnetic field sensors, the research team successfully demonstrated its effectiveness with their new material—a key technical milestone in the project.
Experiencing the Environment Through Magnetism
These e-skins can continuously monitor magnetic signals across their surface, enabling novel applications: recognizing gestures written with a magnetic stylus, enabling touch-free interactions in virtual environments, or even operating devices in extreme settings—like underwater or while wearing gloves.
While these skins are designed for both humans and machines, robots stand to benefit significantly. Unlike traditional electronics, magnetic sensors are less prone to interference, allowing machines to detect subtle movements even in complex or harsh environments. For example, a smartphone equipped with this technology could be operated in winter using a magnetic patch on a glove—unaffected by snow, moisture, or surrounding electronics.
Magnetoreception doesn’t act as a compass but rather opens up a new, reliable channel for communication between humans and machines.
Journal Reference:
Makushko, P., et al. (2025) Scalable magneto receptive e-skin for energy-efficient high-resolution interaction towards undisturbed extended reality. Nature Communications. doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56805-x