Skin-inspired highly stretchable and conformable matrix networks for multifunctional sensing

Nat Commun. 2018 Jan 16;9(1):244. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-02685-9.

Abstract

Mechanosensation electronics (or Electronic skin, e-skin) consists of mechanically flexible and stretchable sensor networks that can detect and quantify various stimuli to mimic the human somatosensory system, with the sensations of touch, heat/cold, and pain in skin through various sensory receptors and neural pathways. Here we present a skin-inspired highly stretchable and conformable matrix network (SCMN) that successfully expands the e-skin sensing functionality including but not limited to temperature, in-plane strain, humidity, light, magnetic field, pressure, and proximity. The actualized specific expandable sensor units integrated on a structured polyimide network, potentially in three-dimensional (3D) integration scheme, can also fulfill simultaneous multi-stimulus sensing and achieve an adjustable sensing range and large-area expandability. We further construct a personalized intelligent prosthesis and demonstrate its use in real-time spatial pressure mapping and temperature estimation. Looking forward, this SCMN has broader applications in humanoid robotics, new prosthetics, human-machine interfaces, and health-monitoring technologies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques / instrumentation
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods
  • Humans
  • Humidity
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Mechanical Phenomena*
  • Mechanotransduction, Cellular / physiology
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Pressure
  • Sensation / physiology*
  • Skin / cytology
  • Skin / metabolism*
  • Skin / ultrastructure
  • Skin Physiological Phenomena*
  • Temperature