While metal wires have a stretchingthreshold of one to two percent, the rubber can be stretched by 38% without suffering a significant change in conductivity.

Taking it to its limits, it can be stretched up to 2.3 times its original size, losing roughly half of its conductivity at the maximum extension. If used as wiring, the material can make elastic integrated circuits which can be stretched by up to 1.7 times their original length with no mechanical damage or change in conductivity.

Another exciting potential application is “e-skin” for robots. The scientists claim the material will feed robots the sensory information they require to comfortably move among us and complete whatever tasks we may set – doing housework, handling children, eliminating John Connor, etc. The University of Tokyo team aims to put the elastic conductor to practical use within the next several years.