Abstract

Advances in stretchable and flexible sensors are responding to the emerging demand of wearable and portable smart electronics. A core component of these electronics are tactile sensing devices which detect external stimuli and obtain in-time information from the surroundings. A fusion of electronics, physics and materials science, tactile sensors have great potential in robots, biomedicine, flexible interactive devices, and several other applications. By integrating with a flexible polymer matrix conductive materials (nanometals, carbon nanomaterials, conducting polymers, etc.), which are either embedded in the matrix or surface-coated or sandwiched between films, the resulting conductive polymer-based composites are promising for flexible tactile sensors. This review summarizes recent advances across different types of tactile sensors, including piezoresistive, capacitive, piezoelectric, and triboelectric. Examples are highlighted on how the combination of new materials, unique structure designs, and novel fabrication methods can advance the progress of tactile sensors. Enhanced sensing performance and mechanical properties can be realized by integrating nanomaterials into polymer substrates. This review provides guidelines for further selection of polymer-based materials and design of tactile sensors.

摘要

可拉伸和柔性传感器的进步正在响应可穿戴和便携式智能电子产品的新兴需求。这些电子产品的核心部件是触觉传感设备，它可以检测外部刺激并从周围环境中及时获取信息。触觉传感器融合了电子学、物理学和材料科学，在机器人、生物医学、柔性交互设备和其他一些应用中具有巨大潜力。通过与柔性聚合物基体导电材料（纳米金属、碳纳米材料、导电聚合物等）结合，这些导电材料要么嵌入基体中，要么表面涂层，要么夹在薄膜之间，由此产生的导电聚合物基复合材料有望用于柔性触觉传感器。这篇综述总结了不同类型触觉传感器的最新进展，包括压阻式、电容式、压电式和摩擦电式。重点介绍了新材料、独特结构设计和新颖制造方法的组合如何推动触觉传感器进步的示例。通过将纳米材料集成到聚合物基板中，可以实现增强的传感性能和机械性能。本综述为进一步选择聚合物基材料和设计触觉传感器提供了指南。