Dual-Channel Flexible Strain Sensors Based on Mechanofluorescent and Conductive Hydrogel Laminates

Flexible strain sensors are of great importance in many emerging applications for human motion monitoring, implanted devices, and human-machine interactive systems. However, the dual-channel sensing systems that enable both strain-dependent electronic and visually optical signal responses still remain underdeveloped, but such systems are of great interest for human-machine interactive uses. Here, inspired by the mechanically modulated skin color changes of squids via muscle contracting/releasing movements, a class of mechanofluorescent and conductive hydrogel laminates for visually flexible electronics is presented. The sensing laminates consist of interfacially bonded red fluorescent hydrogel, polydimethylsiloxane and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) film. Since the densely stacked microscopic CNTs film can be precisely stretched to induce the formation of network microcracks, the developed hydrogel laminates are endowed with simultaneous fluorescence-color and resistance changes, which can function as dual-channel flexible sensors for real-time human motion monitoring. These properties make the bioinspired soft hydrogel laminate electronics quite promising in the flexible electronics field.

Automated summary

Flexible strain sensors are important for various applications, and a dual-channel sensing system that can provide both strain-dependent electronic and visually optical signal responses is of interest. Researchers have developed mechanofluorescent and conductive hydrogel laminates inspired by squid skin color changes, which can be used for real-time human motion monitoring.