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Zhang Q, Xue Y, Zhao Y, Zou K, Yuan W, Tian Y, Chen J, Chen J, Xi N. Shear stiffening gel-enabled twisted string for bio-inspired robot actuators. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4710. [PMID: 38409463 PMCID: PMC10897407 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55405-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
A rotary motor combined with fibrous string demonstrates excellent performance because it is powerful, lightweight, and prone to large strokes; however, the stiffness range and force-generating capability of twisted string transmission systems are limited. Here, we present a variable stiffness artificial muscle generated by impregnating shear stiffening gels (STGs) into a twisted string actuator (TSA). A high twisting speed produces a large impact force and causes shear stiffening of the STG, thereby improving the elasticity, stiffness, force capacity, and response time of the TSA. We show that at a twisting speed of 4186 rpm, the elasticity of an STG-TSA reached 30.92 N/mm, whereas at a low twisting speed of 200 rpm, it was only 10.51 N/mm. In addition, the STG-TSA exhibited a more prominent shear stiffening effect under a high stiffness load. Our work provides a promising approach for artificial muscles to coactivate with human muscles to effectively compensate for motion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Zhang
- Department of Industrial and Manufacturing System Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuxuan Xue
- Department of Industrial and Manufacturing System Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yafei Zhao
- Department of Industrial and Manufacturing System Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kehan Zou
- Department of Industrial and Manufacturing System Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wenbo Yuan
- Department of Industrial and Manufacturing System Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuqing Tian
- Department of Industrial and Manufacturing System Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jiaming Chen
- Department of Industrial and Manufacturing System Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jiangcheng Chen
- Department of Industrial and Manufacturing System Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ning Xi
- Department of Industrial and Manufacturing System Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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2
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Kim H, Esser-Kahn AP, Rowan SJ, Jaeger HM. Stress-activated friction in sheared suspensions probed with piezoelectric nanoparticles. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2310088120. [PMID: 38015840 PMCID: PMC10710073 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2310088120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A hallmark of concentrated suspensions is non-Newtonian behavior, whereby the viscosity increases dramatically once a characteristic shear rate or stress is exceeded. Such strong shear thickening is thought to originate from a network of frictional particle-particle contact forces, which forms under sufficiently large stress, evolves dynamically, and adapts to changing loads. While there is much evidence from simulations for the emergence of this network during shear thickening, experimental confirmation has been difficult. Here, we use suspensions of piezoelectric nanoparticles and exploit the strong local stress focusing within the network to activate charge generation. This charging can then be detected in the measured ac conductance and serve as a signature of frictional contact formation. The direct link between stress-activated frictional particle interactions and piezoelectric suspension response is further demonstrated by tracking the emergence of structural memory in the contact network under oscillatory shear and by showing how stress-activated friction can drive mechano-transduction of chemical reactions with nonlinear reaction kinetics. Taken together, this makes the ac conductance of piezoelectric suspensions a sensitive in-situ reporter of the micromechanics associated with frictional interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hojin Kim
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637
- James Franck Institute and Department of Physics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637
| | - Aaron P. Esser-Kahn
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637
| | - Stuart J. Rowan
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637
- Chemical and Engineering Sciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL60439
| | - Heinrich M. Jaeger
- James Franck Institute and Department of Physics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637
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Stab-Resistant Polymers-Recent Developments in Materials and Structures. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15040983. [PMID: 36850264 PMCID: PMC9965452 DOI: 10.3390/polym15040983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Stab-resistant garments have been used for centuries, utilizing metals, paper, or polymeric structures, often inspired by natural structures such as scales. Nowadays, stab-resistant vests or vest inserts are used by police and security personnel, but also by bus drivers, ambulance officers, and other people who are empirically often attacked on duty. Since stab protection garments are often heavy and thus uncomfortable and not well accepted, whether in the form of chain-mail or metal inserts in protective vests, researchers are striving to find lightweight, drapable alternatives, often based on polymeric materials. These research attempts have recently focused on textile fabrics, mostly with impregnation by shear-thickening fluids (STFs) or ceramic coatings, as well as on lightweight composites. The first studies on 3D printed polymeric objects with tailored shapes, as well as theoretical investigations of the stab-protective effect of different materials, have been published throughout the last years. Here, we discuss different measurement methods, including dynamic and quasistatic methods, and correlations of stab-resistance with other physical properties, before we give an overview of recent developments of stab-resistant polymers, using different materials/material combinations and structures.
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4
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Lai QT, Sun QJ, Tang Z, Tang XG, Zhao XH. Conjugated Polymer-Based Nanocomposites for Pressure Sensors. Molecules 2023; 28:1627. [PMID: 36838615 PMCID: PMC9964060 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28041627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Flexible sensors are the essential foundations of pressure sensing, microcomputer sensing systems, and wearable devices. The flexible tactile sensor can sense stimuli by converting external forces into electrical signals. The electrical signals are transmitted to a computer processing system for analysis, realizing real-time health monitoring and human motion detection. According to the working mechanism, tactile sensors are mainly divided into four types-piezoresistive, capacitive, piezoelectric, and triboelectric tactile sensors. Conventional silicon-based tactile sensors are often inadequate for flexible electronics due to their limited mechanical flexibility. In comparison, polymeric nanocomposites are flexible and stretchable, which makes them excellent candidates for flexible and wearable tactile sensors. Among the promising polymers, conjugated polymers (CPs), due to their unique chemical structures and electronic properties that contribute to their high electrical and mechanical conductivity, show great potential for flexible sensors and wearable devices. In this paper, we first introduce the parameters of pressure sensors. Then, we describe the operating principles of resistive, capacitive, piezoelectric, and triboelectric sensors, and review the pressure sensors based on conjugated polymer nanocomposites that were reported in recent years. After that, we introduce the performance characteristics of flexible sensors, regarding their applications in healthcare, human motion monitoring, electronic skin, wearable devices, and artificial intelligence. In addition, we summarize and compare the performances of conjugated polymer nanocomposite-based pressure sensors that were reported in recent years. Finally, we summarize the challenges and future directions of conjugated polymer nanocomposite-based sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin-Teng Lai
- School of Physics and Optoelectric Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 511400, China
| | - Qi-Jun Sun
- School of Physics and Optoelectric Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 511400, China
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 518060, China
| | - Zhenhua Tang
- School of Physics and Optoelectric Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 511400, China
| | - Xin-Gui Tang
- School of Physics and Optoelectric Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 511400, China
| | - Xin-Hua Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, South University of Science and Technology of China, Shenzhen 518060, China
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5
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He C, Wang Q, Jia X, Liu J, Sun R, Chen M. Synthesis and properties of SiO 2/SiO 2@Ag two-phase STFs. RSC Adv 2023; 13:3112-3122. [PMID: 36756393 PMCID: PMC9869083 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra06895h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Soft body armor with a strain-sensing function using conductive shear thickening fluids (STFs) has gradually gained research interest. In this study, conductive SiO2@Ag core-shell microspheres were synthesized and the influence of process parameters on their properties was evaluated. Subsequently, SiO2 and SiO2@Ag were used as dispersed phases to prepare two-phase STFs, the effect of the core-shell microspheres' proportion on the rheological properties of the STFs was investigated, and its mechanism was discussed. The results indicated that SiO2@Ag core-shell microspheres were coated with elemental silver and when the concentration of sodium hydroxide and glucose were 0.07 and 0.09 mol L-1, respectively, the coating surface was the most uniform and compact, and the conductivity reached the minimum value of 0.56 Ω cm. The two-phase STFs exhibited good and reversible shear thickening behaviors and the critical shear rate decreased with increasing core-shell microsphere concentration. Additionally, when the mass fraction of SiO2 and SiO2@Ag core-shell microspheres was 45% and 20%, respectively, the thickening rate was 325%, and the resistance of two-phase STFs decreased simultaneously with the emergence of shear thickening that reached the lowest value of 795.16 kΩ. This study provides a novel strategy for synthesizing conductive STFs for strain-sensing flexible stab-resistant composites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiting He
- School of Textile Science and Engineering, Xi'an Polytechnic University Xi'an Shaanxi 710048 China .,Key Laboratory of Functional Textile Material and Product (Xi'an Polytechnic University), Ministry of Education Xi'an Shaanxi 710048 China
| | - Qiushi Wang
- School of Textile Science and Engineering, Xi'an Polytechnic University Xi'an Shaanxi 710048 China .,Key Laboratory of Functional Textile Material and Product (Xi'an Polytechnic University), Ministry of Education Xi'an Shaanxi 710048 China
| | - Xiaoya Jia
- School of Textile Science and Engineering, Xi'an Polytechnic University Xi'an Shaanxi 710048 China .,Key Laboratory of Functional Textile Material and Product (Xi'an Polytechnic University), Ministry of Education Xi'an Shaanxi 710048 China
| | - Jie Liu
- School of Textile Science and Engineering, Xi'an Polytechnic University Xi'an Shaanxi 710048 China .,Key Laboratory of Functional Textile Material and Product (Xi'an Polytechnic University), Ministry of Education Xi'an Shaanxi 710048 China
| | - Runjun Sun
- School of Textile Science and Engineering, Xi'an Polytechnic University Xi'an Shaanxi 710048 China .,Key Laboratory of Functional Textile Material and Product (Xi'an Polytechnic University), Ministry of Education Xi'an Shaanxi 710048 China
| | - Meiyu Chen
- School of Textile Science and Engineering, Xi'an Polytechnic University Xi'an Shaanxi 710048 China .,Key Laboratory of Functional Textile Material and Product (Xi'an Polytechnic University), Ministry of Education Xi'an Shaanxi 710048 China
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6
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Zhang M, Gao X, Lu C, Yao D, Wu L, Li D, Fang H, A S, Sun Y. Ultrathin Superhydrophobic Flexible Tactile Sensors for Normal and Shear Force Discrimination. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:55735-55746. [PMID: 34761892 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c17391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Flexible tactile sensors, with the ability to sense and even discriminate between different mechanical stimuli, can enable real-time and precise monitoring of dexterous and complex robotic motions. However, making them ultrathin and superhydrophobic for practical applications is still a great challenge. Here, superhydrophobic flexible tactile sensors with hierarchical micro- and nanostructures, that is, warped graphene nanosheets adhered to micron-height wrinkled surfaces, were constructed using ultrathin medical tape (40 μm) and graphene. The tactile sensor enables the discrimination of normal and shear forces and senses sliding friction and airflow. Moreover, the tactile sensor exhibits high sensitivity to normal and shear forces, extremely low detection limits (15 Pa for normal forces and 6.4 mN for shear forces), and cyclic robustness. Based on the abovementioned characteristics, the tactile sensor enables real-time and accurate monitoring of the robotic arm's motions, such as moving, gripping, and lifting, during the process of picking up objects. The superhydrophobicity even allows the sensor to monitor the motions of the robotic arm underwater in real time. Our tactile sensors have potential applications in the fields of intelligent robotics and smart prosthetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengpei Zhang
- College of Chemical Engineering & Pharmaceutics, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, P. R. China
| | - Xiping Gao
- College of Chemical Engineering & Pharmaceutics, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, P. R. China
| | - Chang Lu
- College of Chemical Engineering & Pharmaceutics, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, P. R. China
| | - Dahu Yao
- College of Chemical Engineering & Pharmaceutics, National United Engineer Laboratory for Advanced Bearing Tribology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, P. R. China
| | - Lanlan Wu
- College of Chemical Engineering & Pharmaceutics, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, P. R. China
| | - Dongxue Li
- College of Chemical Engineering & Pharmaceutics, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, P. R. China
| | - Hanqing Fang
- College of Chemical Engineering & Pharmaceutics, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, P. R. China
| | - Shiwei A
- College of Chemical Engineering & Pharmaceutics, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, P. R. China
| | - Yafei Sun
- College of Chemical Engineering & Pharmaceutics, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, P. R. China
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7
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Zhou J, Wang S, Yuan F, Zhang J, Liu S, Zhao C, Wang Y, Gong X. Functional Kevlar-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator with Impact Energy-Harvesting Property for Power Source and Personal Safeguard. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:6575-6584. [PMID: 33517653 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c18308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A novel shock-resistant, self-generating triboelectric nanogenerator (SS-TENG) with high-speed impact energy-harvesting and safeguarding properties was developed by assembling Kevlar fiber and conductive shear-stiffening gel. The SS-TENG with energy-harvesting property generated a maximum power density of 5.3 mW/m2 with a voltage of 13.1 V under oscillator compression and could light up light-emitting diode arrays. Owing to the energy absorption effect, the as-designed SS-TENG could dissipate impact forces from 2880 to 1460 N, showing anti-impact performance under the drop hammer impact. It also sensed the loading forces by outputting 36.4 V. Functionalized as a self-powered sensor, SS-TENG monitored various human movements and provided protection from hammer impact. Interestingly, a wearable sole array with high sensitivity and a fast response could distinguish toe in/out motions. More importantly, this functional SS-TENG presented excellent anti-impact behavior, which dissipated 94% of kinetic energy under bullet-shooting excitation. It also gathered high speed ballistic energy, which outputted a maximum power density of 3 mW/m2. To this end, this SS-TENG with a protection effect and the ability to harvest various impact energy showed promising applications in new power sources, intelligent wearable systems, and safeguard areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyu Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, CAS Center for Excellence in Complex System Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei 230027, P. R. China
| | - Sheng Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, CAS Center for Excellence in Complex System Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei 230027, P. R. China
| | - Fang Yuan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, CAS Center for Excellence in Complex System Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei 230027, P. R. China
| | - Junshuo Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, CAS Center for Excellence in Complex System Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei 230027, P. R. China
| | - Shuai Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, CAS Center for Excellence in Complex System Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei 230027, P. R. China
| | - Chunyu Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, CAS Center for Excellence in Complex System Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei 230027, P. R. China
| | - Yu Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, CAS Center for Excellence in Complex System Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei 230027, P. R. China
| | - Xinglong Gong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, CAS Center for Excellence in Complex System Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei 230027, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Fire Science, University of Science and Technology of China, 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui 230026, PR China
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8
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Single-Layer Pressure Textile Sensors with Woven Conductive Yarn Circuit. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10082877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Today, e-textiles have become a fundamental trend in wearable devices. Fabric pressure sensors, as a part of e-textiles, have also received much interest from many researchers all over the world. However, most of the pressure sensors are made of electronic fibers and composed of many layers, including an intermediate layer for sensing the pressure. This paper proposes the model of a single layer pressure sensor with electrodes and conductive fibers intertwined. The plan dimensions of the fabricated sensors are 14 x 14 mm, and the thickness is 0.4 mm. The whole area of the sensor is the pressure-sensitive point. As expected, results demonstrate an electrical resistance change from 283 Ω at the unload pressure to 158 Ω at the load pressure. Besides, sensors have a fast response time (50 ms) and small hysteresis (5.5%). The hysteresis will increase according to the pressure and loading distance, but the change of sensor loading distance is very small. Moreover, the single-layer pressure sensors also show high durability under many working cycles (20,000 cycles) or washing times (50 times). The single-layer pressure sensor is very thin and more flexible than the multi-layer pressure sensor. The structure of this sensor is also expected to bring great benefits to wearable technology in the future.
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9
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Liu S, Wang S, Xuan S, Zhang S, Fan X, Jiang H, Song P, Gong X. Highly Flexible Multilayered e-Skins for Thermal-Magnetic-Mechanical Triple Sensors and Intelligent Grippers. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:15675-15685. [PMID: 32134626 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b23547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
This work reports a novel triple-functional electronic skin (e-skin) which shows both wonderful thermal-magnetic-mechanical sensing performance and interesting magnetic actuation behavior. The flexible e-skin comprises thermo-sensitive, magnetic, and conductive tri-components, and their sensitive characteristics under 5-70 °C, 0-1200 mT, and 0.1-5.1 MΩ are studied, respectively. Owing to the unique piezoresistive characteristic and magnetorheological effect, the e-skin exhibits a rapid response time (38 ms) to the external stimuli. The assembled e-skin with the triple-layer structure can act as a functional sensor to monitor various human motions, magnetic fields, and environmental temperatures. Based on this e-skin, an intelligent magneto-active gripper is further developed, and it can be used to grasp and transport targets by the actuated force of magnetic field under various working conditions. Importantly, the multi-functional sensing capability endows the gripper with real-time deformation and ambient temperature perception characteristics. As a result, because of the ideal multi-field coupling sensing and magnetic active features, this e-skin shows a wide prospect in wearable electronics, man-machine interactions, and intelligent transport systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, CAS Center for Excellence in Complex System Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, PR China
| | - Sheng Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, CAS Center for Excellence in Complex System Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, PR China
| | - Shouhu Xuan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, CAS Center for Excellence in Complex System Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, PR China
- National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, PR China
| | - Shuaishuai Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, CAS Center for Excellence in Complex System Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, PR China
| | - Xiwen Fan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, CAS Center for Excellence in Complex System Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, PR China
| | - Han Jiang
- Applied Mechanics and Structure Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Mechanics and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611756, PR China
| | - Pingan Song
- Centre for Future Materials, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba 4350, Australia
| | - Xinglong Gong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, CAS Center for Excellence in Complex System Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, PR China
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10
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Yan X, Bowen CR, Yuan C, Hao Z, Pan M. Carbon fibre based flexible piezoresistive composites to empower inherent sensing capabilities for soft actuators. SOFT MATTER 2019; 15:8001-8011. [PMID: 31468049 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm01046g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
New materials and technologies in sensing and actuation have led to the development of soft actuators and robots for biomedical systems, assistive devices, exploration and rescue. The use of integrated actuation-sensing materials in such systems is gaining interest, but there are few examples where the body of the actuator or soft robot acts as the sensing element. The development of smart soft actuators that have inherent sensing capabilities can provide advantages of high sensitivity, ease of manufacture and cost efficiency, without impairing actuator dynamics. To achieve this goal, we have prepared soft actuators using piezoresistive composites based on a silicone matrix impregnated with short conductive carbon fibres. The optimum carbon fibre volume fraction to achieve a frequency independent conductivity and piezoresistive response was determined, with in situ mechanical and electrical testing to quantify the piezoresistive properties. The frequency dependent electrical properties and sensitivity of the composites with deformation was explained on the basis of a microstructural resistor-capacitor network model. The piezoresistive composites were used to successfully manufacture a pneumatic soft finger actuator where the resistance change of the actuator body was able to monitor deformation with applied pressure. The creation of soft actuators with an inherent sensing capability is a promising approach for control and operation of future soft robots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Yan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK. and Science and Technology on Advanced Functional Composites Laboratory Aerospace Research Institute of Material and Processing Technology, Beijing 100076, P. R. China
| | - Chris R Bowen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
| | - Chenggang Yuan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
| | - Zhe Hao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
| | - Min Pan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
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11
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Zhu J, Wang X, Xing Y, Li J. Highly Stretchable All-Rubber-Based Thread-Shaped Wearable Electronics for Human Motion Energy-Harvesting and Self-Powered Biomechanical Tracking. NANOSCALE RESEARCH LETTERS 2019; 14:247. [PMID: 31338603 PMCID: PMC6650513 DOI: 10.1186/s11671-019-3085-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The development of stretchable smart electronics has attracted great attentions due to their potential applications in human motions energy collection systems and self-powered biomechanical tracking technologies. Here, we present a newly stretchable all-rubber-based thread-shaped triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) composed of the silver-coated glass microspheres/silicone rubber as the stretchable conductive thread (SCT) and the silicone rubber-coated SCT (SSCT) as the other triboelectric thread. The stretchable all-rubber-based thread-shaped TENG (SATT) generates an open-circuit voltage of 3.82 V and short-circuit current of 65.8 nA under the 100% strain and can respond to different finger motion states. Furthermore, the self-powered smart textile (SPST) woven by the SCT and SSCT units has two kinds of working mechanisms about stretch-release and contact-separation modes. The stretching-releasing interaction between knitting units can generate an open-circuit voltage of 8.1 V and short-circuit current of 0.42 μA, and the contacting-separating mode occurs between cotton and two types material outside the SPST producing peak voltage of 150 V and peak current of 2.45 μA. To prove the promising applications, the SPST device is capable to provide electrical energy to commercial electronics and effectively scavenge full-range biomechanical energy from human joint motions. Therefore, this work provides a new approach in the applications of stretchable wearable electronics for power generation and self-powered tracking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhu
- School of Computer and Remote Sensing Information Technology, North China Institute of Aerospace Engineering, Langfang, 065000 China
| | - Xinghui Wang
- School of Computer and Remote Sensing Information Technology, North China Institute of Aerospace Engineering, Langfang, 065000 China
| | - Yilan Xing
- School of Computer and Remote Sensing Information Technology, North China Institute of Aerospace Engineering, Langfang, 065000 China
| | - Jianyi Li
- School of Computer and Remote Sensing Information Technology, North China Institute of Aerospace Engineering, Langfang, 065000 China
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12
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Wang B, Facchetti A. Mechanically Flexible Conductors for Stretchable and Wearable E-Skin and E-Textile Devices. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1901408. [PMID: 31106490 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201901408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Considerable progress in materials development and device integration for mechanically bendable and stretchable optoelectronics will broaden the application of "Internet-of-Things" concepts to a myriad of new applications. When addressing the needs associated with the human body, such as the detection of mechanical functions, monitoring of health parameters, and integration with human tissues, optoelectronic devices, interconnects/circuits enabling their functions, and the core passive components from which the whole system is built must sustain different degrees of mechanical stresses. Herein, the basic characteristics and performance of several of these devices are reported, particularly focusing on the conducting element constituting them. Among these devices, strain sensors of different types, energy storage elements, and power/energy storage and generators are included. Specifically, the advances during the past 3 years are reported, wherein mechanically flexible conducting elements are fabricated from (0D, 1D, and 2D) conducting nanomaterials from metals (e.g., Au nanoparticles, Ag flakes, Cu nanowires), carbon nanotubes/nanofibers, 2D conductors (e.g., graphene, MoS2 ), metal oxides (e.g., Zn nanorods), and conducting polymers (e.g., poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrene sulfonate), polyaniline) in combination with passive fibrotic and elastomeric materials enabling, after integration, the so-called electronic skins and electronic textiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binghao Wang
- Department of Chemistry and the Materials Research Center, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Antonio Facchetti
- Department of Chemistry and the Materials Research Center, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Flexterra Corporation, 8025 Lamon Avenue, Skokie, IL, 60077, USA
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13
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Hazarika A, Deka BK, Kim D, Jeong HE, Park YB, Park HW. Woven Kevlar Fiber/Polydimethylsiloxane/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite-Based Personal Thermal Management with Freestanding Cu-Ni Core-Shell Nanowires. NANO LETTERS 2018; 18:6731-6739. [PMID: 30290118 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.8b02408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Thermotherapy is a widespread technique that provides relief for muscle spasms and joint injuries. A great deal of energy is used to heat the surrounding environment, and heat emitted by the human body is wasted on our surroundings. Herein, a woven Kevlar fiber (WKF)-based personal thermal management device was fabricated by directly growing vertical copper-nickel (Cu-Ni) nanowires (NWs) on the WKF surface using a hydrothermal method. The treated WKF was combined with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) dispersed in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to form composites using vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). This WKF-based personal thermal management system contained a conductive network of metallic NWs and rGO that promoted effective Joule heating and reflected back the infrared (IR) radiation emitted by the human body. It thus behaved as a type of thermal insulation. The Cu-Ni NWs were synthesized with a tunable Ni layer on Cu core NWs to enhance the oxidation resistance of the Cu NWs. The combined effect of the NW networks and rGO enabled a surface temperature of 70 °C to be attained on application of 1.5 V to the composites. The Cu3Ni1-WKF/PDMS provided 43% more thermal insulation and higher IR reflectance than bare WKF/PDMS. The absorbed impact energy and tensile strength was highest for the Cu1Ni3- and rGO-integrated WKF/PDMS samples. Those Cu-Ni NWs having higher Ni contents displayed better mechanical properties and those with higher Cu contents showed higher Joule heating performance and IR reflectivity at a given rGO loading. The composite shows sufficient breathability and very high durability. The high flexibility of the composites and their ability to generate sufficient heat during various human motions ensures their suitability for wearable applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Hazarika
- Department of Mechanical Engineering , Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology , 50 UNIST-gil , Ulsan , Republic of Korea , 44919
| | - Biplab K Deka
- Department of Mechanical Engineering , Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology , 50 UNIST-gil , Ulsan , Republic of Korea , 44919
| | - DoYoung Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering , Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology , 50 UNIST-gil , Ulsan , Republic of Korea , 44919
| | - Hoon Eui Jeong
- Department of Mechanical Engineering , Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology , 50 UNIST-gil , Ulsan , Republic of Korea , 44919
| | - Young-Bin Park
- Department of Mechanical Engineering , Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology , 50 UNIST-gil , Ulsan , Republic of Korea , 44919
| | - Hyung Wook Park
- Department of Mechanical Engineering , Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology , 50 UNIST-gil , Ulsan , Republic of Korea , 44919
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14
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Bian J, Ding Y, Duan Y, Wan X, Huang Y. Buckling-driven self-assembly of self-similar inspired micro/nanofibers for ultra-stretchable electronics. SOFT MATTER 2017; 13:7244-7254. [PMID: 28944394 DOI: 10.1039/c7sm01686g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Self-similar structures are capable of highly enhancing the deformability of stretchable electronics. We presented a self-assembly method based on the tunable buckling of serpentine fiber-based interconnects (FiberBIs), which are deposited using our presented helix electrohydrodynamic printing (HE-printing) technique, to fabricate self-similar structures with enhanced stretchability (up to 250%). It provides a low-cost, printing-based approach for the generation of large-scale self-similar FiberBIs. Distinct buckling behaviors and modes occur under specific conditions. To elucidate the mechanics governing this phenomenon, we present detailed experimental and theoretical studies of the buckling mechanics of serpentine microfibers on compliant substrates. Firstly, the effect of the magnitude and direction of prestrain on the buckling behavior of a fiber-on-substrate is discussed. Secondly, the critical geometry of a serpentine fiber as a key parameter for fabricating uniform self-similar fibers is also figured out. Finally, the cross-sectional geometry of the fiber as a judgment criterion for determining the in-surface or out-of-surface buckling of the fiber is established. The investigation can guide the fabrication process of large-scale self-similar structures for high-performance electronic devices with extreme stretchability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Bian
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China.
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15
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Eom J, Heo JS, Kim M, Lee JH, Park SK, Kim YH. Highly sensitive textile-based strain sensors using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate/silver nanowire-coated nylon threads with poly-l-lysine surface modification. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra10722f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A highly sensitive textile-based strain sensor using a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate/silver nanowire -coated nylon thread is demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimi Eom
- SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SAINT)
- Sungkyunkwan University
- Suwon 16419
- Korea
| | - Jae-Sang Heo
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Chung-Ang University
- Seoul 156-756
- Korea
| | - Minho Kim
- School of Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
- Sungkyunkwan University
- Suwon 16419
- Korea
| | - Jun Ho Lee
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Chung-Ang University
- Seoul 156-756
- Korea
| | - Sung Kyu Park
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Chung-Ang University
- Seoul 156-756
- Korea
| | - Yong-Hoon Kim
- SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SAINT)
- Sungkyunkwan University
- Suwon 16419
- Korea
- School of Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
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