Ultraflexible and transparent electroluminescent skin for real-time and super-resolution imaging of pressure distribution

Abstract

The ability to image pressure distribution over complex three-dimensional surfaces would significantly augment the potential applications of electronic skin. However, existing methods show poor spatial and temporal fidelity due to their limited pixel density, low sensitivity, or low conformability. Here, we report an ultraflexible and transparent electroluminescent skin that autonomously displays super-resolution images of pressure distribution in real time. The device comprises a transparent pressure-sensing film with a solution-processable cellulose/ nanowire nanohybrid network featuring ultrahigh sensor sensitivity (>5000 kPa −1 ) and a fast response time (<1 ms), and a quantum dot-based electroluminescent film. The two ultrathin films conform to each contact object and transduce spatial pressure into conductivity distribution in a continuous domain, resulting in super-resolution (>1000 dpi) pressure imaging without the need for pixel structures. Our approach provides a new framework for visualizing accurate stimulus distribution with potential applications in skin prosthesis, robotics, and advanced human-machine interfaces.

Flexible Waterproof Piezoresistive Pressure Sensors with Wide Linear Working Range Based on Conductive Fabrics

“…Flexible pressure sensor, especially the piezoresistive sensor, is widely employed in electronic skin [1][2][3][4], healthcare monitoring [5][6][7][8], and human-machine interactions (HMI) [9][10][11]. To expand the feasibility of the piezoresistive sensor for diversified practical applications, they should have a linear pressure-sensing capability within large dynamic sensing ranges to constantly maintain their high sensitivity from lowpressure (< 10 kPa) to high-pressure region (> 100 kPa, even near 1 MPa) [12][13][14].…”

Magnetically induced micropillar arrays for an ultrasensitive flexible sensor with a wireless recharging system

“…This ultrahigh initial resistance could improve sensitivity and reduce power consumption in a standby mode. This balanced combination of the ultrahigh sensitivity and wide linear working range outperforms previously developed sensors [11,[27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37], as illustrated in Fig. 3b.…”

A Biaxial Strain Sensor Using a Single MoS2 Grating

“…Flexible electronics technology has received widespread attention from the academic and industrial communities, but the design and application of microscale and nanoscale flexible devices is challenging due to difficulties in dynamic displacement and deformation monitoring [1][2][3][4][5]. Most conventional strain detection methods based on resistance strain gauges require a miniaturized sensor array [4,6,7], which is hard to produce for flexible electronic applications.…”