VOA标准英语2016--“智能”绷带有助更快治愈伤口

'Smart' Bandages Could Heal Wounds More Quickly “智能”绷带有助更快治愈伤口

Simple bandages are usually seen as the first line of attack in healing small to moderate wounds and burns. But scientists say new synthetic¹ materials with embedded³ microsensors could turn bandages into a much more valuable tool for emergency physicians.

As evidenced by increasingly popular wearable devices such as smart watches and fitness trackers, sensors⁵ of all kinds are getting smaller and more sensitive.

At the same time, scientists are constantly coming up with new materials, such as so-called ‘hydrogels’ that closely resemble human skin.

Combining these two advances, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology created a stretchy polymer with stiffness similar to human soft tissues.

Titanium wires embedded in a zig-zag pattern easily stretch without breaking contact with miniature sensors.

Researchers were also able to create a strong bond between the electronic sensors and the polymer.

“We further embed² electronic devices such as sensors, such as different drug delivery devices, into this matrix to achieve what we call the smart applications," said Xuanhe Zhao, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering.

The combination amounts to a kind of “smart wound dressing” that can react to changes in the skin around it.

“Once the sensor⁴ senses an abnormal increase in temperature, for example, It will send out a command. Then the controlled drug delivery system can deliver a specific drug to that specific location," said Zhao.

Medication quickly spreads across the bandage through tiny channels.

Embedded LED lights could alert patients and doctors to changes at particular spots. Researchers say the new polymer will be suitable for application both on the skin and inside the body.

1 synthetic   

adj.合成的，人工的；综合的；n.人工制品

参考例句：

• We felt the salesman's synthetic friendliness.我们感觉到那位销售员的虚情假意。
• It's a synthetic diamond.这是人造钻石。

2 embed   

vt.把…嵌(埋、插)入，扎牢；使深留脑中

参考例句：

• The harpoon struck but did not embed.鱼叉击中了但并没有插入。
• This photo showed us how did the root of plant embed the soil deeply.这张照片显示植物的根是如何深入到土壤里去的。

3 embedded   

a.扎牢的

参考例句：

• an operation to remove glass that was embedded in his leg 取出扎入他腿部玻璃的手术
• He has embedded his name in the minds of millions of people. 他的名字铭刻在数百万人民心中。

4 sensor   

n.传感器，探测设备，感觉器（官）

参考例句：

• The temperature sensor is enclosed in a protective well.温度传感器密封在保护套管中。
• He plugged the sensor into a outlet.他把传感器插进电源插座。

5 sensors   

n.传感器，灵敏元件( sensor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There were more than 2000 sensors here. 这里装有两千多个灵敏元件。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Significant changes have been noted where sensors were exposed to trichloride. 当传感器暴露在三氯化物中时，有很大变化。 来自辞典例句