Skin-Inspired Thermosensitive Tactile Sensor Based on Thermally Conductive and Viscous Interface Composites for Rocks

Achieving high thermal conductivity and exceptional interfacial adhesion simultaneously in thermosensitive tactile recognition sensors poses a significant challenge. A copolymer, poly([[(butylamino)carbonyl]oxy]ethyl-ester)-co-polydimethylsiloxane (referred to as PP), is synthesized and subsequently complexed with alumina particles coated with liquid metal (LMAl2O3) to prepare a composite material called PP/LMAl2O3 with high thermal conductivity and strong interfacial adhesion to address this challenge. The best thermal conductivity (4.43 W m(-1) K-1), electrical insulation (10(-6)-10(-7) S m(-1)), and adhesion properties derived from hydrogen bonding (1316 N m(-2)) are obtained by adjusting the volume fraction of PP and LMAl2O3 in PP/LMAl2O3. PP/LMAl2O3 with high thermal conductivity and high interface adhesion can efficiently transfer heat between thermal flux sensors and the objects being sensed, reliably detecting small thermal flux variations and ensuring accurate thermal flux measurements. In this study, PP/LMAl2O3 is used to make up thermosensitive tactile sensor. Surprisingly, PP/LMAl2O3 demonstrates high thermal signal sensitivity for tactile recognition applications, allowing the smart thermosensitive tactile sensor system to distinguish unknown rock materials even in the dark. Overall, PP/LMAl2O3 may function as a fundamental material in thermosensitive tactile sensors for lithology identification.

Automated summary

A copolymer PP was synthesized and complexed with alumina particles coated with liquid metal (LMAl2O3) to prepare a composite material PP/LMAl2O3, which exhibited high thermal conductivity and strong interfacial adhesion. By adjusting the volume fraction of PP and LMAl2O3, the composite material achieved the best thermal conductivity, electrical insulation, and adhesion properties. This material efficiently transferred heat between thermal flux sensors and detected thermal flux variations accurately, making it suitable for thermosensitive tactile sensors for lithology identification.