Tactile impression and friction of water on human skin

Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2009 Mar 1;69(2):264-7. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2008.11.024. Epub 2008 Nov 30.

Abstract

Water has a unique touch as well as characteristic physical properties. However, nobody knows the real identity of its touch. Here, we show that water creates a stick-slip feel when a small amount is rubbed using fingertip on an artificial skin that mimics the structure of human skin. The results of frictional analyses predict that this stick-slip feel is caused by a drastic change in frictional resistance. The present result is valuable for biologists and robot engineers as well as cognitive scientists and tribologists, because it is a new example of stick-slip phenomena on biological surfaces. The tactile texture of this most familiar material could also be applied to consumer products or virtual reality systems.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cellulose / analogs & derivatives
  • Cellulose / chemistry
  • Female
  • Friction
  • Humans
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / chemistry
  • Skin Physiological Phenomena*
  • Skin, Artificial
  • Solutions
  • Touch*
  • Water*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • PQ10 compound
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
  • Solutions
  • Water
  • Cellulose