A Solution‐Processable, Omnidirectionally Stretchable, and High‐Pressure‐Sensitive Piezoresistive Device

Abstract

The development of omnidirectionally stretchable pressure sensors with high performance without stretching-induced interference has been hampered by many challenges. Herein, an omnidirectionally stretchable piezoresistive pressure-sensing device is demonstrated by combining an omniaxially stretchable substrate with a 3D micropattern array and solution-printing of electrode and piezoresistive materials. A unique substrate structural design and materials mean that devices that are highly sensitive are rendered, with a stable out-of-plane pressure response to both static (sensitivity of 0.5 kPa and limit of detection of 28 Pa) and dynamic pressures and the minimized in-plane stretching responsiveness (a small strain gauge factor of 0.17), achieved through efficient strain absorption of the electrode and sensing materials. The device can detect human-body tremors, as well as measure the relative elastic properties of human skin. The omnidirectionally stretchable pressure sensor with a high pressure sensitivity and minimal stretch-responsiveness yields great potential to skin-attachable wearable electronics, human-machine interfaces, and soft robotics applications.

Full 3D Printing of Stretchable Piezoresistive Sensor with Hierarchical Porosity and Multimodulus Architecture

“…The excellent in‐plane stability guarantees an accurate determination of out‐of‐plane pressure of soft piezoresistive sensor. The performances of our SPS device are largely superior to recently reported stretchable pressure sensors with differentiated conductive materials and structural configurations …”

“…Reasonable filler distribution and interspace structure design are still a critical challenge, particularly for a stretchable multimaterial system . Moreover, costly ingredients and fabrication processes deterred the scalable production and application of soft electronics …”

Advanced Soft Materials, Sensor Integrations, and Applications of Wearable Flexible Hybrid Electronics in Healthcare, Energy, and Environment

“…Such stretchable metals built on a polymeric substrate then function as a highly conductive electrode without inducing significant changes in mechanical properties during the use of the device on the skin. In the other way, deterministically patterned substrates, such as mesh-type, [121] mogul pattern, [122,123] prestrained, helical, origami and kirigami engineered, [124][125][126][127][128] or merged structures, [129] have been created to make the whole device sufficiently stretchable. Yin et al described a prestrained strategy that uses periodic buckles preformed on thin poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) foil substrate via laser ablation ( Figure 6d).…”

A transparent stretchable sensor for distinguishable detection of touch and pressure by capacitive and piezoresistive signal transduction

“…Over the past few years, numerous studies have been conducted to develop stretchable physical sensors for human-machine interfaces that can be worn or conformally attached to human skin . Such body-attachable, stretchable physical sensors that are capable of detecting touch, pressure, strain, or temperature can also be used to monitor human activities [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] , health status [18][19][20][21] , and diseases [22][23][24] . Integrating multiple sensors with different modalities as wearable input devices has been investigated as an approach to multimodal interactivity between humans and machines 18,[24][25][26][27] .…”