A joint research team recently have developed a new electronic skin that is similar to human skin in strength, durability and sensitivity. The skin or e-skin may play an important role in next-generation personalized medicine, soft robotics and artificial intelligence.

"The ideal e-skin will mimic(模仿)the many natural functions of human skin, such as sensing temperature and touch, accurately and in real time, " says leading researcher Yichen Cai. However, making suitably flexible electronics that can perform such delicate tasks while also used repeatedly is challenging, and each material involved must be carefully engineered.

Most e-skins are made by putting an active sensor on the surface that attaches to human skin. However, the connection between them is often too weak, which reduces the durability and sensitivity of the material; otherwise, if it is too strong, it won't be flexible enough, making it more likely to break the circuit.

"The landscape of skin electronics keeps shifting at a remarkable pace, " says Cai. "The discovery of 2D sensors has accelerated efforts to turn these quite thin but strong materials into functional, durable artificial skins. "

The new man-made skin built by the researchers could sense objects from 20 centimeters away. It could further make a quick response when touched in less than one tenth of a second. "It is a striking achievement for an e-skin to maintain toughness after repeated use," said Shen, "which mimics the softness and rapid recovery of human skin."

This type of e-skin could monitor a range of biological information, such as changes in blood pressure, which can be sensed from movements of arms and legs. This data can then be shared and stored on the cloud via Wi-Fi.

"One remaining problem to the widespread use of e-skins lies in mass production of high-resolution sensors, "adds group leader Vincent Tung, "however, the latest technology offers new promise."

Traveling through time

As children, we dream of growing older; when we are older, we dream of being children. We let our lives pass us by because we have yet to learn that the harder you yearn for time, the faster it passes. This is how my story begins.

In October of my freshman year, I took an accidental trip down memory lane. One day after school, I decided to take the long way home. I needed time to think. So off I went, walking through the grass. That was how I came to find a gap in the fence lining the school property. I passed through this gap and followed the treeline until I found myself in the far fields behind the neighborhood.

Suddenly, I remembered it was here through the fence between the school and the fields that I watched older kids having their high school graduation ceremony. In cap and gown (长袍), they stood in the middle of the field. They looked like they were having the most fun I had ever seen anyone have; they looked free.

Years later, I walked through that field on my way home from that same high school. The soccer nets were long gone, and the paint lines had washed away with the rain, but there it was, just as I remembered it. The old field felt like a moment trapped in time, a long-forgotten memory. Here I was, standing in between my past and my present and trying so hard to figure out just how all of those years had passed me by so quickly. The gap in the fence seemed like a distinct line between my years. A doorway between 5 and 15.

I've since given this place a name, Tempus Illud, a place between places. I try to take the long way home at least once a month now. Sometimes, when I cross that bridge, I see that younger version of myself. She is so young and so desperate to speed up time. I see her peering through the fence at those graduates in the cap and gown, and she's wishing she could be just like them. She, too, could feel so free that she might just grow wings and fly away. Now I'm preparing to wear the cap and gown in a few short months. But this time, I wish to leave time to its own devices.

The harder you yearn for time, the faster it passes you by. So I no longer yearn. The passage of time is inevitable, and you can't avoid it, but you can appreciate it. James Taylor sings, "The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time… Nobody knows how we got to the top of the hill, but since we're on our way down, we might as well enjoy the ride. "

If you've ever been enjoying takeout snacks, you can make these with ingredients (配料) found in grocery stores or even your own kitchen,

Hosomaki Sushi

In Japan, Hosomaki Sushi is a sushi roll mainly made with sweet rice and seaweed. The thinner hosomaki are the simpler, smaller version that are perfect for practicing. It takes you little time to practice to roll and you will have fun making them at home.

Prep: 20 mins   Cook: 0 mins   Total: 20 mins

Taco Bell Crunch wrap Supreme

This is one of America's favorite fast-food go-to's. You can stuff it with whatever strikes your fancy. So it is also great for vegetarians because beef can be replaced with black beans or fruits.

Prep: 15 mins   Cook: 30 mins   Total: 45 mins

Pumpkin (南瓜) Spice Latte

The first version of this drink contained spices (香料), but no actual pumpkin until 2015. Its great popularity has meant that it's being served at the end of August, far ahead of regular pumpkin season. But for those who eagerly await the drink each year, there's even better news: the pumpkin spice latte is actually quite easy to make at home at a far more affordable price.

Prep: 10 mins   Cook: 5 mins   Total: 15 mins

BBQ Chicken Pizza

It is so delicious that it is worthwhile to make from the very beginning. This pizza is a great way to use up leftover pork or barbecue chicken. A sweeter sauce will give you the more traditional barbecue sauce taste.

Prep: 20 mins   Cook: 20 mins   Total： 40 mins