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Design and Fabrication of Soft Electronics using Nanomaterials and Structured Polymer
Design and Fabrication of Soft Electronics using Nanomaterials and Structured Polymer
Soft electronics are gaining significant attention in healthcare, robotics, and medical devices as they surpass the limited functionality and form of conventional rigid electronics. Especially, soft electronics with high flexibility and stretchability can make conformal contact with the human skin or robotic body, enabling the detection of tactile stimuli from human or robots. However, the current sensing technologies and device durability are not yet fully optimized for practical use. We will introduce advancements in the following areas:
1. Soft tactile sensors with high sensing performance (sensitivity, decoupling capability, hysteresis): The performance of piezoresistive/capacitive sensors was improved using various microstructured (porous structure, porous pyramid structure) polymers (PDMS, Latex rubber) and nanomaterials (CNT, MXene, Polypyrrole, Carbon black, Ag nanowire). In particular, I focus on tactile sensors that differentiate different mechanical stimuli such as pressure, lateral strain, and bending through novel sensor designs.
- Bending sensor: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 2022. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.2c07795
- Pressure sensor: ACS Nano, 2021. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsnano.1c02567, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 2019. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsami.9b03261
- Strain sensor. ACS Nano, 2018. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.8b03488
2. Geometrically engineered soft-rigid interface showing excellent mechanical stability: By controlling crack propagation process of the interface, fatigue life for various deformations (stretching, crumpling, twisting, poking) was improved. Additionally, applications taking advantage of geometrically engineered island array and intrinsically stretchable electrode were demonstrated: stretchable electronics operating under various deformations and electronic skin detecting tactile stimuli.
- Ferris wheel-shaped island: Science Advances, 2022. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abn3863
- Serpentine electrode with pores: Materials Horizons, 2025.
3. Sensing for actuating systems: Rigid or soft actuators can operate more efficiently with sensor feedback. For example, understanding the behavior of shape memory alloy actuators when exposed to various environments (e.g., fan cooling, liquid cooling), rather than only when operating in static air, is essential. To address this, we present a durable system that allows shape memory alloy coils to operate with randomly generated current, predicting their output force through a machine learning algorithm that accounts for environmental changes. Additionally, a soft actuator was integrated with a bending sensor to impart proprioception, thus allowing it to monitor its dynamic motion under different surroundings.
- SMA actuator with AI: Submitted, 2025.
- Soft actuator with bending sensor: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 2022. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.2c07795
4. 3D printed soft electronics: We have developed innovative ways to create 3D printed soft devices inspired by biological structures and principles, focusing on advanced device functionality.
- Bioinspired skin with tactile sensing : Submitted, 2025.
- 3D printed sensor array. In preparation, 2025.
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