Soft devices empowered by mechanoluminescent materials

Abstract

Mechanoluminescence is the phenomenon in which certain materials emit light when subjected to mechanical stimuli, such as bending, stretching, or compression. Soft devices containing embedded mechanoluminescent materials are capable of responding to mechanical deformation by emitting light, which can be utilized for various applications, including sensing, display, communication, and visual feedback. In this Perspective, we discuss recent advancements and emerging applications of mechanoluminescent materials for soft devices, with a focus on the remaining challenges in mechanoluminescent materials, such as performance, mechanism, synthesis, and device fabrication, that need to be addressed for developing advanced soft devices, and propose the potential solutions.

Contactless User‐Interactive Sensing Display for Human–Human and Human–Machine Interactions

“…[6][7][8] Consequently, different UISDs have been developed by embedding pressure-sensing elements into electroluminescent/electrochromic devices, [9][10][11][12][13] developing DOI: 10.1002/adma.202401931 metasurfaces with reconfigurable structural colors, [14,15] and utilizing novel mechanochromic/mechanoluminescent materials. [16][17][18][19][20][21] However, these UISDs are generally pressure-sensing or strainsensing devices, where physical contact is required for sensing and display. Such direct physical contact not only confines the interactive motions to simple touching or sliding but also imposes serious restrictions on remote or hygiene-focused sensing applications.…”