A Dual‐Responsive Artificial Skin for Tactile and Touchless Interfaces

Abstract

The progress from intelligent interactions and supplemented/augmented reality requires artificial skins to shift from the single‐functional tactile paradigm. Dual‐responsive sensors that can both detect pre‐contact proximal events and tactile pressure levels enrich the perception dimensions and deliver additional cognitive information. Previous dual‐responsive sensors show very limited utilizations only in proximity perception or approaching switches. Whereas, the approaching inputs from the environment should be able to convey more valuable messages. Herein, a flexible iontronic dual‐responsive artificial skin is present. The artificial skin is sensitive to external object's applied pressure as well as its approaching, and can elicit information of target material categories encoded in the proximal inputs. Versatile applications are then demonstrated. Dual‐mode human–machine interfaces are developed based on the devices, including a manipulation of virtual game characters, navigation and zooming in of electronic maps, and scrolling through electronic documents. More importantly, the proof‐of‐concept application of an entirely touchless material classification system is demonstrated. Three types of materials (metals, polymers, and human skins) are classified and predicted accurately. These features of the artificial skin make it highly promising for next‐generation smart engineered electronics.

Touchless Artificial Perception beyond Fingertip Probing

“…Our group recently reported an iontronic artificial skin that could respond to the approaching of external targets. 19 Different approaching materials with varied surface charges affect the fringing electric field generated by the sensor, thus giving rise to distinct responsive signals. On this basis, we developed a proof-of-concept touchless materials classification system (Figure 3C), in which three types of materials (metals, polymers, and human skins) were classified and predicted accurately without physical contacts.…”

“…(A,B) Schemes of working mechanism and a representative work for capacitive touchless sensors. Reproduced with permission from ref . Copyright 2023 Wiley-VCH.…”

High‐Efficiency Single‐Droplet Energy Harvester for Self‐Sustainable Environmental Intelligent Networks

“…[ 1–3 ] Generally, realizing such intelligent systems requires the deployment of embedded environmental sensor networks across wide geographical areas, to deliver comprehensive messages about targeted regions. [ 4 ] Great advancement has been input into functionalized terminal products, [ 5–12 ] however, an enduring challenge exists for ambient intelligent systems: how to remotely power these electronics in a rational layout that aligns with the ubiquitous, decentralized, and widespread energy demands. [ 13–15 ]…”

High-Performance Dual-Responsive Sensing Skin Enabled by Bioinspired Transduction of Coplanar Square-Loop Electrodes

“…Another attractive feature of capacitive DASs is their opposite response polarities in pressure and proximity modes. 17,30,31 This feature facilitates the distinction between the two modes and shows potential for intelligent control.…”

“…Previous studies have reported several DASs that employ diverse physical transducing signals, including optical, acoustic, and electrical types. − Among them, electrical-based, especially capacitive DASs, have received considerable attention due to their high flexibility, simple device construction, and excellent stability. Another attractive feature of capacitive DASs is their opposite response polarities in pressure and proximity modes. ,, This feature facilitates the distinction between the two modes and shows potential for intelligent control.…”