Spider-web inspired multi-resolution graphene tactile sensor

Abstract

Multi-dimensional accurate response and smooth signal transmission are critical challenges in the advancement of multi-resolution recognition and complex environment analysis. Inspired by the structure-activity relationship between discrepant microstructures of the spiral and radial threads in a spider web, we designed and printed graphene with porous and densely-packed microstructures to integrate into a multi-resolution graphene tactile sensor. The three-dimensional (3D) porous graphene structure performs multi-dimensional deformation responses. The laminar densely-packed graphene structure contributes excellent conductivity with flexible stability. The spider-web inspired printed pattern inherits orientational and locational kinesis tracking. The multi-structure construction with homo-graphene material can integrate discrepant electronic properties with remarkable flexibility, which will attract enormous attention for electronic skin, wearable devices and human-machine interactions.

Mechanical properties and application analysis of spider silk bionic material

“…The radiation on the spider web extends radially outward, supporting and transmitting signals. Liu et al (86) inspired a unique assembly method of spiral and radiation microstructures in spider webs, proposed a new structure of electronic devices, and developed a new type of multiresolution graphene tactile sensor. They used a highly sensitive aerogel as a sensing material and a graphene tape with high conductivity and stability as a transmission material to realize the orientation, distance, and position identification of the new tactile sensor.…”

Versatile Aerogels for Sensors

“…The resultant hard carbon‐aerogel‐based pressure senor showed high stability and wide detection range (50 kPa). Besides the microstructure control of the carbon aerogels, the macro‐assemblies with different patterns assisted by 3D printing is also efficient for the preparation of high‐performance carbon‐aerogel‐based strain and pressure sensors . As shown in Figure a, through 3D printing, Gao and co‐workers prepared stretchable carbon aerogels with a hierarchical structure and high retractable elongation of 200% (Figure b–f), and high fatigue resistance over 10 6 cycles.…”

Bioinspired Design of Graphene‐Based Materials

“…Adapted with permission. [175] Copyright 2018, Royal Society of Chemistry. Structures with enhanced mechanical properties: f) TEM image of pomegranate-like graphene flowers containing NixSy core-shell nanobeads.…”

“…In a spider web-like pressure sensor (Figure 9e), in which graphene nanoribbons (radial threads) perform the role of charge transport and GA (spiral threads) are the sensing material, pressures on different locations on the web can be distinguished based on the local changes in resistance. [175] While bioinspired enhancement of mechanical properties in graphene-based composites most often follows a nacrebased approach, there are other unique strategies based on the bulk structures of integral natural objects or systems. The most similar to nacre is a bamboo-like architecture, consisting of stacks of aligned fibers.…”