Flexible, Stretchable and Wearable Multifunctional Sensor Array as Artificial Electronic Skin for Static and Dynamic Strain Mapping

Artificial electronic skin consists of mechanically flexible and stretchable sensor networks that can accommodate irregular surfaces and spatially map/quantify various stimuli, such as strains, pressures, and temperatures to imitate the human somatosensory system. Here, a flexible/wearable multifunctional sensor array is designed and fabricated in a cost-effective manner through simple fabrication procedures for highly-sensitive contact/pressure/strain detections. Composed of PET-based Ag serpentine-shaped electrodes, the sensor array is implemented for static and dynamic mapping of spatial contact/pressure/strain distributions in large-scale, with a detection limit of 6 Pa (corresponding to 0.5 mg). By attaching the flexible/wearable devices on human body, different motions are recognized/distinguished for gesture control applications. Combining the easy-fabricated and low-cost features, these sensor arrays may become promising candidate for highly-sensitive force detections, gesture controls, imaging of spatial pressure distributions, and find potential applications in advanced robotics, human-machine interfaces, next-generation prosthetics and healthcare monitoring devices.