Bimodal Tactile Sensor without Signal Fusion for User-Interactive Applications.

Journal: ACS nano
Published Date: Jan 21, 2022

Abstract

Tactile sensors with multimode sensing ability are cornerstones of artificial skin for applications in humanoid robotics and smart prosthetics. However, the intuitive and interference-free reading of multiple tactile signals without involving complex algorithms and calculations remains a challenge. Herein a pressure-temperature bimodal tactile sensor without any interference is demonstrated by combining the fundamentally different sensing mechanisms of optics and electronics, enabling the simultaneous and independent sensing of pressure and temperature with the elimination of signal separation algorithms and calculations. The bimodal sensor comprises a mechanoluminescent hybrid of ZnS-CaZnOS and a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) thermoresistant material, endowing the unambiguous transduction of pressure and temperature into optical and electrical signals, respectively. This device exhibits the highest temperature sensitivity of -0.6% °C in the range of 21-60 °C and visual sensing of the applied forces at a low limitation of 2 N. The interference-free and light-emitting characteristics of this device permit user-interactive applications in robotics for encrypted communication as well as temperature and pressure monitoring, along with wireless signal transmission. This work provides an unexplored solution to signal interference of multimodal tactile sensors, which can be extended to other multifunctional sensing devices.

Authors

  • Xiaole Ma
    Center on Nanoenergy Research, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, P. R. China.
  • Chunfeng Wang
    CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Beijing Key Laboratory of Micro-nano Energy and Sensor , Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100083 , P.R. China.
  • Ruilai Wei
    Center on Nanoenergy Research, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, P. R. China.
  • Jiaqi He
    CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Beijing Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Energy and Sensor, Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101400, P. R. China.
  • Jing Li
    Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
  • Xianhu Liu
    National Engineering Research Center for Advanced Polymer Processing Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450002, P. R. China.
  • Fengchang Huang
    Center on Nanoenergy Research, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, P. R. China.
  • Shuaipeng Ge
    Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of the Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China.
  • Juan Tao
    Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of the Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China.
  • Zuqing Yuan
    CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Beijing Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Energy and Sensor, Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101400, P. R. China.
  • Ping Chen
    Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China.
  • Dengfeng Peng
    College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China. Electronic address: pengdengfeng@szu.edu.cn.
  • Caofeng Pan
    CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Beijing Key Laboratory of Micro-nano Energy and Sensor , Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100083 , P.R. China.

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