Laser-reduced graphene oxide for a flexible liquid sliding sensing surface

Flexible electronic skin is a flexible sensor system that imitates human skin. Recently, flexible sensors have been successfully developed. However, the droplet sliding sens-ing technology on a flexible electronic skin surface is still challenging. In this Letter, a flexible droplet sliding sens-ing surface is proposed and fabricated by laser-reduced graphene oxide (LRGO). The LRGO shows porous struc-tures and low surface energy, which are beneficial for infusing lubricants and fabricating stable slippery surfaces. The slippery surface guarantees free sliding of droplets. The droplet sliding sensing mechanism is a combination of tribo-electricity and electrostatic induction. After a NaCl droplet slides from lubricant-infused LRGO, a potential difference (similar to 0.2 mV) can be measured between two Ag electrodes. This study reveals considerable potential applications in intelli-gent robots and the medical field.(c) 2023 Optica Publishing Group

Automated summary

Flexible electronic skin, mimicking human skin, is a sensor system that has been successfully developed. However, the sliding sensing technology on its surface remains challenging. In this study, a flexible droplet sliding sensing surface was proposed and fabricated using laser-reduced graphene oxide. The surface exhibited porous structures and low surface energy, allowing for the infusion of lubricants and the fabrication of stable slippery surfaces. The sliding of droplets on the surface was enabled by a combination of tribo-electricity and electrostatic induction. This research has significant potential applications in intelligent robots and the medical field.