Elastic Organic Crystals as Bioinspired Hair-Like Sensors

One of the typical haptic elements are natural hairy structures that animals and plants rely on for feedback. Although these hair sensors are an admirable inspiration, the development of active flow sensing components having low elastic moduli and high aspect ratios remains a challenge. Here, we report a new sensing approach based on a flexible, thin and optically transmissive organic crystal of high aspect ratio, which is stamped with fluorescent dye for tracking. When subjected to gas flow and exposed to laser, the crystal bends due to exerted pressure and acts as an optical flow (hair) sensor with low detection limit (approximate to 1.578 m s(-1)) and fast response time (approximate to 2.70 s). The air-flow-induced crystal deformation and flow dynamics response are modelled by finite element analysis. Due to having a simple design and being lightweight and mechanically robust this prototypical crystal hair-like sensor opens prospects for a new class of sensing devices ranging from wearable electronics to aeronautics.

Automated summary

In this study, a flexible, thin and optically transmissive organic crystal with a high aspect ratio was used as an active flow sensor. The crystal, stamped with fluorescent dye, bends when exposed to gas flow and laser, acting as an optical flow (hair) sensor with low detection limit (approximately 1.578 m s(-1)) and fast response time (approximately 2.70 s). Finite element analysis was used to model the air-flow-induced crystal deformation and flow dynamics response. This prototype crystal hair-like sensor, with its simple design, lightweight and mechanical robustness, opens up possibilities for a new class of sensing devices ranging from wearable electronics to aeronautics.