Ultrasensitive, Fast-Responsive, Directional Airflow Sensing by Bioinspired Suspended Graphene Fibers

Abstract

The development of high-performance miniaturized and flexible airflow sensors is essential to meet the need of emerging applications. Graphene-based airflow sensors are hampered by the sluggish response and recovery speed and low sensitivity. Here we employ laser-induced graphene (LIG) with poststructural biomimicry for fabricating high-performance, flexible airflow sensors, including cotton-like porous LIG, caterpillar flufflike vertical LIG fiber, and Lepidoptera scale-like suspended LIG fiber (SLIGF) structures. The structural engineering changes the deformation behavior of LIGs under stress, among which the synchronous propagation of the scale-like structure of SLIGF is the most conducive to airflow sensing. The SLIGF achieves the shortest average response time of 0.5 s, the highest sensitivity of 0.11 s/m, and a record-low detection threshold of 0.0023 m/s, benchmarked against the state-of-the-art airflow sensors. Furthermore, we showcase the SLIGF airflow sensors in weather forecasting, health, and communications applications. Our study will help develop next-generation waterflow, sound, and motion sensors.

Bioderived Laser-Induced Graphene for Sensors and Supercapacitors

“…This is partly related to poor repeatability of bioderived materials or to incomplete characterization and description of materials and processing in some studies. Instead, the atomic structure and the morphology , of synthetic precursors can be more easily characterized and tuned for the specific application, enhancing LIG performance. However, this leads to an increase in costs and has an effect on the overall sustainability of the process.…”

Touchless Artificial Perception beyond Fingertip Probing

“…Touchless devices are also widely utilized to detect air vibrations, no matter from mechanical stimuli or acoustic propagation. ,− Airflow sensors have shown great potentials in aerospace, weather forecasting, and biomedical engineering fields. , Recent examples have demonstrated great progress, by drawing inspirations from nature to engineer an artificial spider web for detecting subtle air vibrations . The proposed airflow sensor achieved both ultralow detection limits and wide sensing ranges (Figure F).…”

Laser-Induced Graphene for Screen-Printed Strain Sensors

“…As a material with immense potential, graphene finds widespread use in resistance-sensitive sensors owing to its exceptional electrical and mechanical characteristics . In recent years, laser-induced graphene (LIG) has emerged as a captivating and transformative material holding immense potential for various applications. − LIG is a unique form of graphene that is synthesized through the selective laser irradiation of polymeric materials such as polyimide (PI), poly­(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE), polyetherimide (PEI), etc. This process involves the conversion of polymers into a three-dimensional (3D) porous graphene structure, resulting in a high surface area, excellent conductivity, and high thermal stability.…”