Magnetoelectric underwater skin senses damage, repairs itself

Researchers at the National University of Singapore developed a self-healing magnetoelectric sensory system (SMES) that functions underwater, detects nearby objects, senses physical contact, recognizes damage, and repairs itself autonomously. Demonstrated via prototypes including a smart diving glove for wireless communication and an underwater robotic arm.

The prototypes are early demonstrations; scaling to commercial underwater applications and infrastructure inspection will require further development.