High-Throughput Manufacturing of Multimodal Epidermal Mechanosensors with Superior Detectability Enabled by a Continuous Microcracking Strategy

Non-invasive human-machine interactions (HMIs) are expected to be promoted by epidermal tactile receptive devices that can accurately perceive human activities. In reality, however, the HMI efficiency is limited by the unsatisfactory perception capability of mechanosensors and the complicated techniques for device fabrication and integration. Herein, a paradigm is presented for high-throughput fabrication of multimodal epidermal mechanosensors based on a sequential femtosecond laser patterning-elastomer infiltration-physical transfer process. The resilient mechanosensor features a unique hybrid sensing layer of rigid cellular graphitic flakes (CGF)-soft elastomer. The continuous microcracking of CGF under strain enables a sharp reduction in conductive pathways, while the soft elastomer within the framework sustains mechanical robustness of the structure. As a result, the mechanosensor achieves an ultrahigh sensitivity in a broad strain range (GF of 371.4 in the first linear range of 0-50%, and maximum GF of 8922.6 in the range of 61-70%), a low detection limit (0.01%), and a fast response/recovery behavior (2.6/2.1 ms). The device also exhibits excellent sensing performances to multimodal mechanical stimuli, enabling high-fidelity monitoring of full-range human motions. As proof-of-concept demonstrations, multi-pixel mechanosensor arrays are constructed and implemented in a robot hand controlling system and a security system, providing a platform toward efficient HMIs. A multimodal epidermal mechanosensor with superior detectability is achieved by a high-throughput femtosecond laser patterning-elastomer infiltration-physical transfer manufacturing method. The continuous microcracking of the rigid conductive frameworks results in ultrahigh strain sensitivities, while the soft elastomer filler renders the device with a wide sustainable strain range. The multimodal mechanosensor can acquire diverse physiological and physical signals in a high-fidelity fashion.image

Automated summary

A high-throughput manufacturing method utilizing femtosecond laser patterning-elastomer infiltration-physical transfer was used to fabricate a multimodal epidermal mechanosensor. This mechanosensor exhibits ultrahigh sensitivity, low detection limit, and fast response/recovery behavior, and can sense diverse mechanical stimuli. It provides a platform for high-fidelity monitoring of human motions.