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Liu SZ, Guo WT, Chen H, Yin ZX, Tang XG, Sun QJ. Recent Progress on Flexible Self-Powered Tactile Sensing Platforms for Health Monitoring and Robotics. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2405520. [PMID: 39128137 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202405520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Over the past decades, tactile sensing technology has made significant advances in the fields of health monitoring and robotics. Compared to conventional sensors, self-powered tactile sensors do not require an external power source to drive, which makes the entire system more flexible and lightweight. Therefore, they are excellent candidates for mimicking the tactile perception functions for wearable health monitoring and ideal electronic skin (e-skin) for intelligent robots. Herein, the working principles, materials, and device fabrication strategies of various self-powered tactile sensing platforms are introduced first. Then their applications in health monitoring and robotics are presented. Finally, the future prospects of self-powered tactile sensing systems are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Zheng Liu
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensing Physics and System Integration Applications, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Wen-Tao Guo
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensing Physics and System Integration Applications, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Hao Chen
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensing Physics and System Integration Applications, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zhi-Xiang Yin
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensing Physics and System Integration Applications, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xin-Gui Tang
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensing Physics and System Integration Applications, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Qi-Jun Sun
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensing Physics and System Integration Applications, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
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Zhang H, Lee S. Advancing the Robotic Vision Revolution: Development and Evaluation of a Bionic Binocular System for Enhanced Robotic Vision. Biomimetics (Basel) 2024; 9:371. [PMID: 38921251 PMCID: PMC11201592 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics9060371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
This paper describes a novel bionic eye binocular vision system designed to mimic the natural movements of the human eye. The system provides a broader field of view and enhances visual perception in complex environments. Compared with similar bionic binocular cameras, the JEWXON BC200 bionic binocular camera developed in this study is more miniature. It consumes only 2.8 W of power, which makes it ideal for mobile robots. Combining axis and camera rotation enables more seamless panoramic image synthesis and is therefore suitable for self-rotating bionic binocular cameras. In addition, combined with the YOLO-V8 model, the camera can accurately recognize objects such as clocks and keyboards. This research provides new ideas for the development of robotic vision systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxin Zhang
- Jewxon Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., No. 293, Gongren East Road, Jiaojiang District, Taizhou 318000, China
| | - Suan Lee
- School of Computer Science, Semyung University, Jecheon 27136, Republic of Korea
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Li H, Ma C, Chen J, Wang H, Chen X, Li Z, Zhang Y. A Soft Robot Tactile Finger Using Oxidation-Reduction Graphene-Polyurethane Conductive Sponge. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:628. [PMID: 38793201 PMCID: PMC11123064 DOI: 10.3390/mi15050628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Currently, intelligent robotics is supplanting traditional industrial applications. It extends to business, service and care industries, and other fields. Stable robot grasping is a necessary prerequisite for all kinds of complex application scenarios. Herein, we propose a method for preparing an elastic porous material with adjustable conductivity, hardness, and elastic modulus. Based on this, we design a soft robot tactile fingertip that is gentle, highly sensitive, and has an adjustable range. It has excellent sensitivity (~1.089 kpa-1), fast response time (~35 ms), and measures minimum pressures up to 0.02 N and stability over 500 cycles. The baseline capacitance of a sensor of the same size can be increased by a factor of 5-6, and graphene adheres better to polyurethane sponge and has good shock absorption. In addition, we demonstrated the application of the tactile fingertip to a two-finger manipulator to achieve stable grasping. In this paper, we demonstrate the great potential of the soft robot tactile finger in the field of adaptive grasping for intelligent robots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hangze Li
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325025, China; (H.L.); (C.M.); (J.C.); (H.W.); (X.C.)
| | - Chaolin Ma
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325025, China; (H.L.); (C.M.); (J.C.); (H.W.); (X.C.)
| | - Jinmiao Chen
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325025, China; (H.L.); (C.M.); (J.C.); (H.W.); (X.C.)
| | - Haojie Wang
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325025, China; (H.L.); (C.M.); (J.C.); (H.W.); (X.C.)
| | - Xiao Chen
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325025, China; (H.L.); (C.M.); (J.C.); (H.W.); (X.C.)
| | - Zhijing Li
- School of Information and Electrical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China;
| | - Youzhi Zhang
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325025, China; (H.L.); (C.M.); (J.C.); (H.W.); (X.C.)
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Liu J, Wang L, Xu R, Zhang X, Zhao J, Liu H, Chen F, Qu L, Tian M. Underwater Gesture Recognition Meta-Gloves for Marine Immersive Communication. ACS NANO 2024; 18:10818-10828. [PMID: 38597459 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c13221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Rapid advancements in immersive communications and artificial intelligence have created a pressing demand for high-performance tactile sensing gloves capable of delivering high sensitivity and a wide sensing range. Unfortunately, existing tactile sensing gloves fall short in terms of user comfort and are ill-suited for underwater applications. To address these limitations, we propose a flexible hand gesture recognition glove (GRG) that contains high-performance micropillar tactile sensors (MPTSs) inspired by the flexible tube foot of a starfish. The as-prepared flexible sensors offer a wide working range (5 Pa to 450 kPa), superfast response time (23 ms), reliable repeatability (∼10000 cycles), and a low limit of detection. Furthermore, these MPTSs are waterproof, which makes them well-suited for underwater applications. By integrating the high-performance MPTSs with a machine learning algorithm, the proposed GRG system achieves intelligent recognition of 16 hand gestures under water, which significantly extends real-time and effective communication capabilities for divers. The GRG system holds tremendous potential for a wide range of applications in the field of underwater communications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxu Liu
- Health & Protective Smart Textiles Research Center (HPT)/Research Center for Intelligent & Wearable Technology, College of Textiles & Clothing, State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers & Eco-Textiles, Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Textiles of Shandong Province, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, People's Republic of China
| | - Lihong Wang
- Health & Protective Smart Textiles Research Center (HPT)/Research Center for Intelligent & Wearable Technology, College of Textiles & Clothing, State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers & Eco-Textiles, Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Textiles of Shandong Province, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruidong Xu
- Health & Protective Smart Textiles Research Center (HPT)/Research Center for Intelligent & Wearable Technology, College of Textiles & Clothing, State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers & Eco-Textiles, Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Textiles of Shandong Province, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinwei Zhang
- Health & Protective Smart Textiles Research Center (HPT)/Research Center for Intelligent & Wearable Technology, College of Textiles & Clothing, State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers & Eco-Textiles, Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Textiles of Shandong Province, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, People's Republic of China
| | - Jisheng Zhao
- Health & Protective Smart Textiles Research Center (HPT)/Research Center for Intelligent & Wearable Technology, College of Textiles & Clothing, State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers & Eco-Textiles, Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Textiles of Shandong Province, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Liu
- Health & Protective Smart Textiles Research Center (HPT)/Research Center for Intelligent & Wearable Technology, College of Textiles & Clothing, State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers & Eco-Textiles, Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Textiles of Shandong Province, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuxing Chen
- Health & Protective Smart Textiles Research Center (HPT)/Research Center for Intelligent & Wearable Technology, College of Textiles & Clothing, State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers & Eco-Textiles, Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Textiles of Shandong Province, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, People's Republic of China
| | - Lijun Qu
- Health & Protective Smart Textiles Research Center (HPT)/Research Center for Intelligent & Wearable Technology, College of Textiles & Clothing, State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers & Eco-Textiles, Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Textiles of Shandong Province, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingwei Tian
- Health & Protective Smart Textiles Research Center (HPT)/Research Center for Intelligent & Wearable Technology, College of Textiles & Clothing, State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers & Eco-Textiles, Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Textiles of Shandong Province, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, People's Republic of China
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Xi J, Yang H, Li X, Wei R, Zhang T, Dong L, Yang Z, Yuan Z, Sun J, Hua Q. Recent Advances in Tactile Sensory Systems: Mechanisms, Fabrication, and Applications. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 14:465. [PMID: 38470794 DOI: 10.3390/nano14050465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Flexible electronics is a cutting-edge field that has paved the way for artificial tactile systems that mimic biological functions of sensing mechanical stimuli. These systems have an immense potential to enhance human-machine interactions (HMIs). However, tactile sensing still faces formidable challenges in delivering precise and nuanced feedback, such as achieving a high sensitivity to emulate human touch, coping with environmental variability, and devising algorithms that can effectively interpret tactile data for meaningful interactions in diverse contexts. In this review, we summarize the recent advances of tactile sensory systems, such as piezoresistive, capacitive, piezoelectric, and triboelectric tactile sensors. We also review the state-of-the-art fabrication techniques for artificial tactile sensors. Next, we focus on the potential applications of HMIs, such as intelligent robotics, wearable devices, prosthetics, and medical healthcare. Finally, we conclude with the challenges and future development trends of tactile sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianguo Xi
- School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Huaiwen Yang
- School of Integrated Circuit Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- School of Integrated Circuit Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ruilai Wei
- School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
- Institute of Flexible Electronics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Taiping Zhang
- Tianfu Xinglong Lake Laboratory, Chengdu 610299, China
| | - Lin Dong
- Henan Key Laboratory of Diamond Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Microelectronics, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Zhenjun Yang
- Hefei Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University (The Second People's Hospital of Hefei), Hefei 230011, China
| | - Zuqing Yuan
- School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
- Institute of Flexible Electronics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Junlu Sun
- Henan Key Laboratory of Diamond Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Microelectronics, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Qilin Hua
- School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
- Institute of Flexible Electronics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 102488, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Brain-Inspired Computing and Intelligent Chips, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China
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Hu J, Dong M. Recent advances in two-dimensional nanomaterials for sustainable wearable electronic devices. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:63. [PMID: 38360734 PMCID: PMC10870598 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02274-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The widespread adoption of smart terminals has significantly boosted the market potential for wearable electronic devices. Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials show great promise for flexible, wearable electronics of next-generation electronic materials and have potential in energy, optoelectronics, and electronics. First, this review focuses on the importance of functionalization/defects in 2D nanomaterials, a discussion of different kinds of 2D materials for wearable devices, and the overall structure-property relationship of 2D materials. Then, in this comprehensive review, we delve into the burgeoning realm of emerging applications for 2D nanomaterial-based flexible wearable electronics, spanning diverse domains such as energy, medical health, and displays. A meticulous exploration is presented, elucidating the intricate processes involved in tailoring material properties for specific applications. Each research direction is dissected, offering insightful perspectives and dialectical evaluations that illuminate future trajectories and inspire fruitful investigations in this rapidly evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Hu
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
- Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311215, China.
| | - Mingdong Dong
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
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Xu W, Ren Q, Li J, Xu J, Bai G, Zhu C, Li W. Triboelectric Contact Localization Electronics: A Systematic Review. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:449. [PMID: 38257543 PMCID: PMC10819133 DOI: 10.3390/s24020449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The growing demand from the extended reality and wearable electronics market has led to an increased focus on the development of flexible human-machine interfaces (HMI). These interfaces require efficient user input acquisition modules that can realize touch operation, handwriting input, and motion sensing functions. In this paper, we present a systematic review of triboelectric-based contact localization electronics (TCLE) which play a crucial role in enabling the lightweight and long-endurance designs of flexible HMI. We begin by summarizing the mainstream working principles utilized in the design of TCLE, highlighting their respective strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, we discuss the implementation methods of TCLE in realizing advanced functions such as sliding motion detection, handwriting trajectory detection, and artificial intelligence-based user recognition. Furthermore, we review recent works on the applications of TCLE in HMI devices, which provide valuable insights for guiding the design of application scene-specified TCLE devices. Overall, this review aims to contribute to the advancement and understanding of TCLE, facilitating the development of next-generation HMI for various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xu
- College of Electronic and Optical Engineering & College of Flexible Electronics (Future Technology), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, China; (W.X.); (Q.R.)
| | - Qingying Ren
- College of Electronic and Optical Engineering & College of Flexible Electronics (Future Technology), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, China; (W.X.); (Q.R.)
| | - Jinze Li
- College of Integrated Circuit Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, China; (J.L.); (J.X.); (G.B.); (C.Z.)
| | - Jie Xu
- College of Integrated Circuit Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, China; (J.L.); (J.X.); (G.B.); (C.Z.)
| | - Gang Bai
- College of Integrated Circuit Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, China; (J.L.); (J.X.); (G.B.); (C.Z.)
| | - Chen Zhu
- College of Integrated Circuit Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, China; (J.L.); (J.X.); (G.B.); (C.Z.)
| | - Wei Li
- College of Electronic and Optical Engineering & College of Flexible Electronics (Future Technology), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, China; (W.X.); (Q.R.)
- College of Integrated Circuit Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, China; (J.L.); (J.X.); (G.B.); (C.Z.)
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Huang B, Yu Y, Zhang F, Liang Y, Su S, Zhang M, Zhang Y, Li C, Xie S, Li J. Mechanically Gated Transistor. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2305766. [PMID: 37580042 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202305766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Silicon-based field effect transistors have underpinned the information revolution in the last 60 years, and there is a strong desire for new materials, devices, and architectures that can help sustain the computing power in the age of big data and artificial intelligence. Inspired by the Piezo channels, a mechanically gated transistor abandoning electric gating altogether, achieving an ON/OFF ratio over three orders of magnitude under a mechanical force of hundreds of nN is developed. The two-terminal device utilizes flexoelectric polarization induced by strain gradient, which modulates the carrier concentration in a Van der Waals structure significantly, and it mimics Piezo channels for artificial tactile perception. This simple device concept can be easily adapted to a wide range of semiconducting materials, helping promote the fusion between mechanics and electronics in a similar way as mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyuan Huang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Oxide Materials and Devices, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Ye Yu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Oxide Materials and Devices, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Materials and Application Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, Hunan, 411105, China
| | - Fengyuan Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Oxide Materials and Devices, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Yuhang Liang
- Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Materials and Application Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, Hunan, 411105, China
| | - Shengyao Su
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Oxide Materials and Devices, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Mei Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Oxide Materials and Devices, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Oxide Materials and Devices, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Changjian Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Oxide Materials and Devices, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Shuhong Xie
- Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Materials and Application Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, Hunan, 411105, China
| | - Jiangyu Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Oxide Materials and Devices, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
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Kumar A, Kempski Leadingham KM, Kerensky MJ, Sankar S, Thakor NV, Manbachi A. Visualizing tactile feedback: an overview of current technologies with a focus on ultrasound elastography. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2023; 5:1238129. [PMID: 37854637 PMCID: PMC10579802 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2023.1238129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue elasticity remains an essential biomarker of health and is indicative of irregularities such as tumors or infection. The timely detection of such abnormalities is crucial for the prevention of disease progression and complications that arise from late-stage illnesses. However, at both the bedside and the operating table, there is a distinct lack of tactile feedback for deep-seated tissue. As surgical techniques advance toward remote or minimally invasive options to reduce infection risk and hasten healing time, surgeons lose the ability to manually palpate tissue. Furthermore, palpation of deep structures results in decreased accuracy, with the additional barrier of needing years of experience for adequate confidence of diagnoses. This review delves into the current modalities used to fulfill the clinical need of quantifying physical touch. It covers research efforts involving tactile sensing for remote or minimally invasive surgeries, as well as the potential of ultrasound elastography to further this field with non-invasive real-time imaging of the organ's biomechanical properties. Elastography monitors tissue response to acoustic or mechanical energy and reconstructs an image representative of the elastic profile in the region of interest. This intuitive visualization of tissue elasticity surpasses the tactile information provided by sensors currently used to augment or supplement manual palpation. Focusing on common ultrasound elastography modalities, we evaluate various sensing mechanisms used for measuring tactile information and describe their emerging use in clinical settings where palpation is insufficient or restricted. With the ongoing advancements in ultrasound technology, particularly the emergence of micromachined ultrasound transducers, these devices hold great potential in facilitating early detection of tissue abnormalities and providing an objective measure of patient health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avisha Kumar
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- HEPIUS Innovation Lab, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kelley M. Kempski Leadingham
- HEPIUS Innovation Lab, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Max J. Kerensky
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- HEPIUS Innovation Lab, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sriramana Sankar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Nitish V. Thakor
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Amir Manbachi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- HEPIUS Innovation Lab, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Hu R, Yang H, Wang L, Fan L. Flexible optical tactile sensor based on a liquid-membrane lens structure. APPLIED OPTICS 2023; 62:6952-6960. [PMID: 37707034 DOI: 10.1364/ao.496741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Based on the liquid lens focus mechanism, a novel, to the best of our knowledge, optical tactile sensor is designed by taking advantage of the structure simplicity, fast response, and environmental immunity. The design of the tactile sensing mechanism used the liquid-membrane lens structure. To integrate the tactile sensing system, we designed a data acquisition circuit unit. A performance test platform was built, and performance testing and two application demonstrations were conducted. The experiment's result showed that the linear fitting degree was greater than 0.988, the load response time was 0.078 s, the target mass was accurately measured, the maximum error was less than 0.02 N, and the fine adjustment of the LED light intensity was achieved.
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Mandil W, Rajendran V, Nazari K, Ghalamzan-Esfahani A. Tactile-Sensing Technologies: Trends, Challenges and Outlook in Agri-Food Manipulation. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:7362. [PMID: 37687818 PMCID: PMC10490130 DOI: 10.3390/s23177362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Tactile sensing plays a pivotal role in achieving precise physical manipulation tasks and extracting vital physical features. This comprehensive review paper presents an in-depth overview of the growing research on tactile-sensing technologies, encompassing state-of-the-art techniques, future prospects, and current limitations. The paper focuses on tactile hardware, algorithmic complexities, and the distinct features offered by each sensor. This paper has a special emphasis on agri-food manipulation and relevant tactile-sensing technologies. It highlights key areas in agri-food manipulation, including robotic harvesting, food item manipulation, and feature evaluation, such as fruit ripeness assessment, along with the emerging field of kitchen robotics. Through this interdisciplinary exploration, we aim to inspire researchers, engineers, and practitioners to harness the power of tactile-sensing technology for transformative advancements in agri-food robotics. By providing a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape and future prospects, this review paper serves as a valuable resource for driving progress in the field of tactile sensing and its application in agri-food systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willow Mandil
- School of Computer Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Vishnu Rajendran
- Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Kiyanoush Nazari
- School of Computer Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
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12
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Lian JJ, Guo WT, Sun QJ. Emerging Functional Polymer Composites for Tactile Sensing. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:4310. [PMID: 37374494 DOI: 10.3390/ma16124310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, extensive research has been conducted on the development of high-performance flexible tactile sensors, pursuing the next generation of highly intelligent electronics with diverse potential applications in self-powered wearable sensors, human-machine interactions, electronic skin, and soft robotics. Among the most promising materials that have emerged in this context are functional polymer composites (FPCs), which exhibit exceptional mechanical and electrical properties, enabling them to be excellent candidates for tactile sensors. Herein, this review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in FPCs-based tactile sensors, including the fundamental principle, the necessary property parameter, the unique device structure, and the fabrication process of different types of tactile sensors. Examples of FPCs are elaborated with a focus on miniaturization, self-healing, self-cleaning, integration, biodegradation, and neural control. Furthermore, the applications of FPC-based tactile sensors in tactile perception, human-machine interaction, and healthcare are further described. Finally, the existing limitations and technical challenges for FPCs-based tactile sensors are briefly discussed, offering potential avenues for the development of electronic products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Jin Lian
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wen-Tao Guo
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Qi-Jun Sun
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
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13
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Chen X, Li H, Xu Z, Lu L, Pan Z, Mao Y. Electrospun Nanofiber-Based Bioinspired Artificial Skins for Healthcare Monitoring and Human-Machine Interaction. Biomimetics (Basel) 2023; 8:223. [PMID: 37366818 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics8020223] [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: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial skin, also known as bioinspired electronic skin (e-skin), refers to intelligent wearable electronics that imitate the tactile sensory function of human skin and identify the detected changes in external information through different electrical signals. Flexible e-skin can achieve a wide range of functions such as accurate detection and identification of pressure, strain, and temperature, which has greatly extended their application potential in the field of healthcare monitoring and human-machine interaction (HMI). During recent years, the exploration and development of the design, construction, and performance of artificial skin has received extensive attention from researchers. With the advantages of high permeability, great ratio surface of area, and easy functional modification, electrospun nanofibers are suitable for the construction of electronic skin and further demonstrate broad application prospects in the fields of medical monitoring and HMI. Therefore, the critical review is provided to comprehensively summarize the recent advances in substrate materials, optimized fabrication techniques, response mechanisms, and related applications of the flexible electrospun nanofiber-based bio-inspired artificial skin. Finally, some current challenges and future prospects are outlined and discussed, and we hope that this review will help researchers to better understand the whole field and take it to the next level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingwei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Microelectronics, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Han Li
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Microelectronics, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Ziteng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Microelectronics, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Lijun Lu
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Microelectronics, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Zhifeng Pan
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Microelectronics, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yanchao Mao
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Microelectronics, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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14
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Pan L, Xie Y, Yang H, Li M, Bao X, Shang J, Li RW. Flexible Magnetic Sensors. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:4083. [PMID: 37112422 PMCID: PMC10141728 DOI: 10.3390/s23084083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
With the merits of high sensitivity, high stability, high flexibility, low cost, and simple manufacturing, flexible magnetic field sensors have potential applications in various fields such as geomagnetosensitive E-Skins, magnetoelectric compass, and non-contact interactive platforms. Based on the principles of various magnetic field sensors, this paper introduces the research progress of flexible magnetic field sensors, including the preparation, performance, related applications, etc. In addition, the prospects of flexible magnetic field sensors and their challenges are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Pan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Application Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Yali Xie
- CAS Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Application Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Huali Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Application Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Mengchao Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Application Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Xilai Bao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Application Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Jie Shang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Application Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Run-Wei Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Application Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
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15
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Wu W, Lu H, Han X, Wang C, Xu Z, Han ST, Pan C. Recent Progress on Wavelength-Selective Perovskite Photodetectors for Image Sensing. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2201499. [PMID: 36811238 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202201499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Spectral sensing plays a crucial part in imaging technologies, optical communication, and other fields. However, complicated optical elements, such as prisms, interferometric filters, and diffraction grating, are required for commercial multispectral detectors, which hampers their advance toward miniaturization and integration. In recent years, metal halide perovskites have been emerging for optical-component-free wavelength-selective photodetectors (PDs) because of their continuously tunable bandgap, fascinating optoelectronic properties, and simple preparation processes. In this review, recent advances in wavelength-selective perovskite PDs, including narrowband PDs, dual-band PDs, multispectral-recognizable PDs, and X-ray PDs, are highlighted, with an emphasis on device structure designs, working mechanisms, and optoelectronic performances. Meanwhile, the applications of wavelength-selective PDs in image sensing for single-/dual-color imaging, full-color imaging, and X-ray imaging are introduced. Finally, the remaining challenges and perspectives in this emerging field are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqiang Wu
- Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Beijing Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Energy and Sensor, Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100083, P. R. China
| | - Hui Lu
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Beijing Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Energy and Sensor, Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100083, P. R. China
| | - Xun Han
- Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Chunfeng Wang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Zhangsheng Xu
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Beijing Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Energy and Sensor, Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100083, P. R. China
| | - Su-Ting Han
- Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Caofeng Pan
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Beijing Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Energy and Sensor, Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100083, P. R. China
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16
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Ramanathan V, Ariffin MZ, Goh GD, Goh GL, Rikat MA, Tan XX, Yeong WY, Ortega JP, Leong V, Campolo D. The Design and Development of Instrumented Toys for the Assessment of Infant Cognitive Flexibility. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:2709. [PMID: 36904916 PMCID: PMC10007088 DOI: 10.3390/s23052709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The first years of an infant's life represent a sensitive period for neurodevelopment where one can see the emergence of nascent forms of executive function (EF), which are required to support complex cognition. Few tests exist for measuring EF during infancy, and the available tests require painstaking manual coding of infant behaviour. In modern clinical and research practice, human coders collect data on EF performance by manually labelling video recordings of infant behaviour during toy or social interaction. Besides being extremely time-consuming, video annotation is known to be rater-dependent and subjective. To address these issues, starting from existing cognitive flexibility research protocols, we developed a set of instrumented toys to serve as a new type of task instrumentation and data collection tool suitable for infant use. A commercially available device comprising a barometer and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) embedded in a 3D-printed lattice structure was used to detect when and how the infant interacts with the toy. The data collected using the instrumented toys provided a rich dataset that described the sequence of toy interaction and individual toy interaction patterns, from which EF-relevant aspects of infant cognition can be inferred. Such a tool could provide an objective, reliable, and scalable method of collecting early developmental data in socially interactive contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Ramanathan
- Robotics Research Center, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Mohammad Zaidi Ariffin
- Robotics Research Center, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Guo Dong Goh
- Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Guo Liang Goh
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Mohammad Adhimas Rikat
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Xing Xi Tan
- Division of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Wai Yee Yeong
- Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Juan-Pablo Ortega
- Division of Mathematical Sciences, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371, Singapore
| | - Victoria Leong
- Division of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
| | - Domenico Campolo
- Robotics Research Center, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
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17
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De Fazio R, Mastronardi VM, De Vittorio M, Visconti P. Wearable Sensors and Smart Devices to Monitor Rehabilitation Parameters and Sports Performance: An Overview. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:s23041856. [PMID: 36850453 PMCID: PMC9965388 DOI: 10.3390/s23041856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
A quantitative evaluation of kinetic parameters, the joint's range of motion, heart rate, and breathing rate, can be employed in sports performance tracking and rehabilitation monitoring following injuries or surgical operations. However, many of the current detection systems are expensive and designed for clinical use, requiring the presence of a physician and medical staff to assist users in the device's positioning and measurements. The goal of wearable sensors is to overcome the limitations of current devices, enabling the acquisition of a user's vital signs directly from the body in an accurate and non-invasive way. In sports activities, wearable sensors allow athletes to monitor performance and body movements objectively, going beyond the coach's subjective evaluation limits. The main goal of this review paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of wearable technologies and sensing systems to detect and monitor the physiological parameters of patients during post-operative rehabilitation and athletes' training, and to present evidence that supports the efficacy of this technology for healthcare applications. First, a classification of the human physiological parameters acquired from the human body by sensors attached to sensitive skin locations or worn as a part of garments is introduced, carrying important feedback on the user's health status. Then, a detailed description of the electromechanical transduction mechanisms allows a comparison of the technologies used in wearable applications to monitor sports and rehabilitation activities. This paves the way for an analysis of wearable technologies, providing a comprehensive comparison of the current state of the art of available sensors and systems. Comparative and statistical analyses are provided to point out useful insights for defining the best technologies and solutions for monitoring body movements. Lastly, the presented review is compared with similar ones reported in the literature to highlight its strengths and novelties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto De Fazio
- Department of Innovation Engineering, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Panamericana, Aguascalientes 20290, Mexico
- Correspondence: (R.D.F.); (V.M.M.); Tel.: +39-08-3229-7334 (R.D.F.)
| | - Vincenzo Mariano Mastronardi
- Department of Innovation Engineering, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
- Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies, Italian Technology Institute IIT, 73010 Arnesano, Italy
- Correspondence: (R.D.F.); (V.M.M.); Tel.: +39-08-3229-7334 (R.D.F.)
| | - Massimo De Vittorio
- Department of Innovation Engineering, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
- Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies, Italian Technology Institute IIT, 73010 Arnesano, Italy
| | - Paolo Visconti
- Department of Innovation Engineering, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
- Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies, Italian Technology Institute IIT, 73010 Arnesano, Italy
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18
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Song Y, Lv S, Wang F, Li M. Hardness-and-Type Recognition of Different Objects Based on a Novel Porous Graphene Flexible Tactile Sensor Array. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:217. [PMID: 36677278 PMCID: PMC9860881 DOI: 10.3390/mi14010217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Accurately recognizing the hardness and type of different objects by tactile sensors is of great significance in human-machine interaction. In this paper, a novel porous graphene flexible tactile sensor array with great performance is designed and fabricated, and it is mounted on a two-finger mechanical actuator. This is used to detect various tactile sequence features from different objects by slightly squeezing them by 2 mm. A Residual Network (ResNet) model, with excellent adaptivity and feature extraction ability, is constructed to realize the recognition of 4 hardness categories and 12 object types, based on the tactile time sequence signals collected by the novel sensor array; the average accuracies of hardness and type recognition are 100% and 99.7%, respectively. To further verify the classification ability of the ResNet model for the tactile feature information detected by the sensor array, the Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), LeNet, Multi-Channel Deep Convolutional Neural Network (MCDCNN), and ENCODER models are built based on the same dataset used for the ResNet model. The average recognition accuracies of the 4hardness categories, based on those four models, are 93.6%, 98.3%, 93.3%, and 98.1%. Meanwhile, the average recognition accuracies of the 12 object types, based on the four models, are 94.7%, 98.9%, 85.0%, and 96.4%. All of the results demonstrate that the novel porous graphene tactile sensor array has excellent perceptual performance and the ResNet model can very effectively and precisely complete the hardness and type recognition of objects for the flexible tactile sensor array.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Song
- School of Electronic and Information Engineering, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei 230601, China
- Key Laboratory of Building Information Acquisition and Measurement Control Technology, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Shanna Lv
- School of Electronic and Information Engineering, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Feilu Wang
- School of Electronic and Information Engineering, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei 230601, China
- Key Laboratory of Building Information Acquisition and Measurement Control Technology, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Mingkun Li
- School of Electronic and Information Engineering, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei 230601, China
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19
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Fliegans L, Troughton J, Divay V, Blayac S, Ramuz M. Design, Fabrication and Characterisation of Multi-Parameter Optical Sensors Dedicated to E-Skin Applications. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 23:114. [PMID: 36616712 PMCID: PMC9824189 DOI: 10.3390/s23010114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
For many years there has been a strong research interest in soft electronics for artificial skin applications. However, one challenge with stretchable devices is the limited availability of high performance, stretchable, electrical conductors and semiconductors that remain stable under strain. Examples of such electronic skin require excessive amounts of wires to address each sensing element-compression force and strain-in a conventional matrix structure. Here, we present a new process for fabricating artificial skin consisting of an optical waveguide architecture, enabling wide ranging sensitivity to external mechanical compression and strain. The manufacturing process allows design of a fully stretchable polydimethylsiloxane elastomer waveguide with embedded gratings, replicated from low cost DVD-Rs. This optical artificial skin allows the detection of compression forces from 0 to 3.8 N with controllable sensitivity. It also permits monitoring of elongation deformations up to 135%. This type of stretchable optical sensor is highly robust, transparent, and presents a large sensing area while limiting the amount of wires connecting to the sensor. Thus, this optical artificial skin presents far superior mechanical properties compared to current electronic skin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Marc Ramuz
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-4-42-61-68-93
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20
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Smocot S, Zhang Z, Zhang L, Guo S, Cao C. Printed flexible mechanical sensors. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:17134-17156. [PMID: 36385388 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr04015h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Flexible mechanical sensors (e.g., strain, pressure, and force) fabricated primarily by printing technologies have emerged and evolved promptly in the past several years. 2D and 3D printing approaches enabled rapid prototyping of various flexible mechanical sensors that have demonstrated their unique applications in fields including robotics, human-machine interfaces, and biomedicine. Research efforts have primarily been focused on experimenting with different materials, device configurations, and sensing mechanisms to achieve better sensing performance. While great progress has been made, this field is still in its infancy where most research is exploratory; and even the performance standards and long-term objective/vision of these sensors are not clear. In this review, the state-of-the-art of three types of printed flexible mechanical sensors will be discussed and analyzed in terms of their fabrication methods, types of sensing materials and mechanisms, and challenges for future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Smocot
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Zixin Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Lingzhi Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Shu Guo
- School of Vehicle and Energy, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, China.
| | - Changhong Cao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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21
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Kim KN, Ko WS, Byun JH, Lee DY, Jeong JK, Lee HD, Lee GW. Bottom-Gated ZnO TFT Pressure Sensor with 1D Nanorods. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:8907. [PMID: 36433504 PMCID: PMC9698253 DOI: 10.3390/s22228907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In this study, a bottom-gated ZnO thin film transistor (TFT) pressure sensor with nanorods (NRs) is suggested. The NRs are formed on a planar channel of the TFT by hydrothermal synthesis for the mediators of pressure amplification. The fabricated devices show enhanced sensitivity by 16~20 times better than that of the thin film structure because NRs have a small pressure transmission area and causes more strain in the underlayered piezoelectric channel material. When making a sensor with a three-terminal structure, the leakage current in stand-by mode and optimal conductance state for pressure sensor is expected to be controlled by the gate voltage. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to identify the nanorods grown by hydrothermal synthesis. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to compare ZnO crystallinity according to device structure and process conditions. To investigate the effect of NRs, channel mobility is also extracted experimentally and the lateral flow of current density is analyzed with simulation (COMSOL) showing that when the piezopotential due to polarization is formed vertically in the channel, the effective mobility is degraded.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ga-Won Lee
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-42-821-5666; Fax: +82-42-823-9544
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22
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Pyroelectrically Charged Flexible Ferroelectret-Based Tactile Sensor for Surface Texture Detection. ELECTRONICS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/electronics11152329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Texture detection is one of the essential features requested for artificial tactile sensing to push the demand for flexible low-cost tactile sensors in the robotics sector. In this manuscript, we demonstrate the ability of a ferroelectret-based pressure sensor together with a patterned elastomer layer to detect surface textures. The ferroelectret sensor was fabricated using fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) sheets bonded with a patterned adhesive layer to create cavities, integrated with the elastomer bumped surface, and finally charged using a pyroelectric method developed by our group. The ferroelectret-based sensor showed a linear response to the applied force in the range of 0.5 to 2 N, a piezoelectric coefficient of 150.1 ± 3.2 pC/N in the range of 10–80 Hz, and a flat dynamic response in the range of 10–1000 Hz. The tactile sensing characterization of the sensor, performed at different scanning speeds (10 to 30 mm/s) and gratings with different periodicities (0 to 0.8 mm), showed that the fundamental frequencies observed ranged from 12 Hz to 75 Hz, as expected from the model. These results lay the foundation for the adoption of such sensors in different applications that need fine tactile information, such as an autonomous or teleoperated robotic hand, prostheses, and wearable devices.
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23
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Bubniene US, Ratautaite V, Ramanavicius A, Bucinskas V. Conducting Polymers for the Design of Tactile Sensors. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14152984. [PMID: 35893948 PMCID: PMC9370767 DOI: 10.3390/polym14152984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper provides an overview of the application of conducting polymers (CPs) used in the design of tactile sensors. While conducting polymers can be used as a base in a variety of forms, such as films, particles, matrices, and fillers, the CPs generally remain the same. This paper, first, discusses the chemical and physical properties of conducting polymers. Next, it discusses how these polymers might be involved in the conversion of mechanical effects (such as pressure, force, tension, mass, displacement, deformation, torque, crack, creep, and others) into a change in electrical resistance through a charge transfer mechanism for tactile sensing. Polypyrrole, polyaniline, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), polydimethylsiloxane, and polyacetylene, as well as application examples of conducting polymers in tactile sensors, are overviewed. Attention is paid to the additives used in tactile sensor development, together with conducting polymers. There is a long list of additives and composites, used for different purposes, namely: cotton, polyurethane, PDMS, fabric, Ecoflex, Velostat, MXenes, and different forms of carbon such as graphene, MWCNT, etc. Some design aspects of the tactile sensor are highlighted. The charge transfer and operation principles of tactile sensors are discussed. Finally, some methods which have been applied for the design of sensors based on conductive polymers, are reviewed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urte Samukaite Bubniene
- Department of Mechatronics, Robotics and Digital Manufacturing, Faculty of Mechanics, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, J. Basanaviciaus Str. 28, LT-03224 Vilnius, Lithuania;
- Department of Nanotechnology, State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Sauletekio Av. 3, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania;
- Correspondence: (U.S.B.); (A.R.)
| | - Vilma Ratautaite
- Department of Nanotechnology, State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Sauletekio Av. 3, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania;
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences, Vilnius University, Naugarduko Str. 24, LT-03225 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Arunas Ramanavicius
- Department of Nanotechnology, State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Sauletekio Av. 3, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania;
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences, Vilnius University, Naugarduko Str. 24, LT-03225 Vilnius, Lithuania
- Correspondence: (U.S.B.); (A.R.)
| | - Vytautas Bucinskas
- Department of Mechatronics, Robotics and Digital Manufacturing, Faculty of Mechanics, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, J. Basanaviciaus Str. 28, LT-03224 Vilnius, Lithuania;
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Koyappayil A, Chavan SG, Roh YG, Lee MH. Advances of MXenes; Perspectives on Biomedical Research. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:454. [PMID: 35884257 PMCID: PMC9313156 DOI: 10.3390/bios12070454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The last decade witnessed the emergence of a new family of 2D transition metal carbides and nitrides named MXenes, which quickly gained momentum due to their exceptional electrical, mechanical, optical, and tunable functionalities. These outstanding properties also rendered them attractive materials for biomedical and biosensing applications, including drug delivery systems, antimicrobial applications, tissue engineering, sensor probes, auxiliary agents for photothermal therapy and hyperthermia applications, etc. The hydrophilic nature of MXenes with rich surface functional groups is advantageous for biomedical applications over hydrophobic nanoparticles that may require complicated surface modifications. As an emerging 2D material with numerous phases and endless possible combinations with other 2D materials, 1D materials, nanoparticles, macromolecules, polymers, etc., MXenes opened a vast terra incognita for diverse biomedical applications. Recently, MXene research picked up the pace and resulted in a flood of literature reports with significant advancements in the biomedical field. In this context, this review will discuss the recent advancements, design principles, and working mechanisms of some interesting MXene-based biomedical applications. It also includes major progress, as well as key challenges of various types of MXenes and functional MXenes in conjugation with drug molecules, metallic nanoparticles, polymeric substrates, and other macromolecules. Finally, the future possibilities and challenges of this magnificent material are discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneesh Koyappayil
- School of Integrative Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heuseok-ro, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul 06974, Korea; (A.K.); (S.G.C.)
| | - Sachin Ganpat Chavan
- School of Integrative Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heuseok-ro, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul 06974, Korea; (A.K.); (S.G.C.)
| | - Yun-Gil Roh
- Department of Convergence in Health and Biomedicine, Chungbuk University, 1 Chungdae-ro, Seowon-gu, Cheongju 28644, Korea;
| | - Min-Ho Lee
- School of Integrative Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heuseok-ro, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul 06974, Korea; (A.K.); (S.G.C.)
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Wang Y, Zhou Z, Li S, Zheng H, Lu J, Wang S, Zhang J, Wang K, Lin K. Near-Infrared-Light-Assisted Self-Healing Graphene-Thermopolyurethane Composite Films. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14061183. [PMID: 35335522 PMCID: PMC8948706 DOI: 10.3390/polym14061183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Graphene-thermopolyurethane (G-TPU) composite films were fabricated and the effects of the TPU initial concentration, characteristics of TPU, and graphene loading on the electrical, mechanical, thermal, infrared thermal response and near-infrared-light-assisted self-healing properties of the composite films were investigated in detail. The experimental results demonstrate that the comprehensive performances of the composite film are related to the initial concentration of the TPU solution and the characteristics of the TPU and the graphene loading. The composite film prepared from TPU solution with low initial concentration can have conductivity under the condition of low graphene content. However, the composite film prepared with appropriate initial concentration of TPU solution and high graphene loading is conducive to obtain high conductivity. After 60 s of near-infrared illumination, the temperature of the composite film first increases and then decreases with the increase in graphene loading until it reaches saturation. The near-infrared light thermal response of the composite film with high graphene loading is related to the initial concentration of TPU solution, while the near-IR thermal response of the composite film with low graphene loading is independent of the initial concentration of TPU. The surface micro-cracks of the composite film almost disappeared after 10 min of near-infrared illumination. The resistance of the conductive composite film increases after healed. The composite film prepared with low melting point TPU is more favorable to obtain high near-IR thermal self-healing efficiency.
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