Bioinspired Passive Tactile Sensors Enabled by Reversible Polarization of Conjugated Polymers

Tactile perception plays a vital role for the human body and is also highly desired for smart prosthesis and advanced robots.Compared to active sensing devices,passive piezoelectric and triboelectric tactile sensors consume less power,but lack the capability to resolve static stimuli.Here,we address this issue by utilizing the unique polarization chemistry of conjugated polymers for the first time and propose a new type of bioinspired,passive,and bio-friendly tactile sensors for resolving both static and dynamic stimuli.Specifically,to emulate the polarization process of natural sensory cells,conjugated polymers(including poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophen e):poly(styrenesulfonate),polyaniline,or polypyrrole)are controllably polarized into two opposite states to create artificial potential differences.The controllable and reversible polarization process of the conjugated polymers is fully in situ characterized.Then,a micro-structured ionic electrolyte is employed to imitate the natural ion channels and to encode external touch stimulations into the variation in potential difference outputs.Compared with the currently existing tactile sensing devices,the developed tactile sensors feature distinct characteristics including fully organic composition,high sensitivity(up to 773 mV N^(−1)),ultralow power consumption(nW),as well as superior bio-friendliness.As demonstrations,both single point tactile perception(surface texture perception and material property perception)and two-dimensional tactile recognitions(shape or profile perception)with high accuracy are successfully realized using self-defined machine learning algorithms.This tactile sensing concept innovation based on the polarization chemistry of conjugated polymers opens up a new path to create robotic tactile sensors and prosthetic electronic skins.

Recent progress on artificial intelligence-enhanced multimodal sensors integrated devices and systems

Multimodal sensor fusion can make full use of the advantages of various sensors,make up for the shortcomings of a single sensor,achieve information verification or information security through information redundancy,and improve the reliability and safety of the system.Artificial intelligence(AI),referring to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans,represents a pivotal frontier in modern scientific research.With the continuous development and promotion of AI technology in Sensor 4.0 age,multimodal sensor fusion is becoming more and more intelligent and automated,and is expected to go further in the future.With this context,this review article takes a comprehensive look at the recent progress on AI-enhanced multimodal sensors and their integrated devices and systems.Based on the concept and principle of sensor technologies and AI algorithms,the theoretical underpinnings,technological breakthroughs,and pragmatic applications of AI-enhanced multimodal sensors in various fields such as robotics,healthcare,and environmental monitoring are highlighted.Through a comparative study of the dual/tri-modal sensors with and without using AI technologies(especially machine learning and deep learning),AI-enhanced multimodal sensors highlight the potential of AI to improve sensor performance,data processing,and decision-making capabilities.Furthermore,the review analyzes the challenges and opportunities afforded by AI-enhanced multimodal sensors,and offers a prospective outlook on the forthcoming advancements.

Advancements in implantable temperature sensors:Materials,mechanisms,and biological applications

Implantable temperature sensors are revolutionizing physiological monitoring and playing a crucial role in diagnostics,therapeutics,and life sciences research.This review classifies the materials used in these sensors into three categories:metal-based,inorganic semiconductor,and organic semiconductor materials.Metal-based materials are widely used in medical and industrial applications due to their linearity,stability,and reliability.Inorganic semiconductors provide rapid response times and high miniaturization potential,making them promising for biomedical and environmental monitoring.Organic semiconductors offer high sensitivity and ease of processing,enabling the development of flexible and stretchable sensors.This review analyzes recent studies for each material type,covering design principles,performance characteristics,and applications,highlighting key advantages and challenges regarding miniaturization,sensitivity,response time,and biocompatibility.Furthermore,critical performance parameters of implantable temperature sensors based on different material types are summarized,providing valuable references for future sensor design and optimization.The future development of implantable temperature sensors is discussed,focusing on improving biocompatibility,long-term stability,and multifunctional integration.These advancements are expected to expand the application potential of implantable sensors in telemedicine and dynamic physiological monitoring.

Recent progress in flexible sensors based on 2D materials

With the rapid development of the internet of things(IoT)and wearable electronics,the role of flexible sensors is becoming increasingly irreplaceable,due to their ability to process and convert information acquisition.Two-dimensional(2D)materials have been widely welcomed by researchers as sensitive layers,which broadens the range and application of flexible sensors due to the advantages of their large specific surface area,tunable energy bands,controllable thickness at the atomic level,stable mechanical properties,and excellent optoelectronic properties.This review focuses on five different types of 2D materials for monitoring pressure,humidity,sound,gas,and so on,to realize the recognition and conversion of human body and environmental signals.Meanwhile,the main problems and possible solutions of flexible sensors based on 2D materials as sensitive layers are summarized.

Smart Gas Sensors:Recent Developments and Future Prospective

Gas sensor is an indispensable part of modern society withwide applications in environmental monitoring,healthcare,food industry,public safety,etc.With the development of sensor technology,wireless communication,smart monitoring terminal,cloud storage/computing technology,and artificial intelligence,smart gas sensors represent the future of gassensing due to their merits of real-time multifunctional monitoring,earlywarning function,and intelligent and automated feature.Various electronicand optoelectronic gas sensors have been developed for high-performancesmart gas analysis.With the development of smart terminals and the maturityof integrated technology,flexible and wearable gas sensors play an increasingrole in gas analysis.This review highlights recent advances of smart gassensors in diverse applications.The structural components and fundamentalprinciples of electronic and optoelectronic gas sensors are described,andflexible and wearable gas sensor devices are highlighted.Moreover,sensorarray with artificial intelligence algorithms and smart gas sensors in“Internet of Things”paradigm are introduced.Finally,the challengesand perspectives of smart gas sensors are discussed regarding the future need of gas sensors for smart city and healthy living.

Progress of Proximity Sensors for Potential Applications in Electronic Skins

Recently,electronic skins and fl exible wearable devices have been developed for widespread applications in medical monitoring,artifi cial intelligence,human–machine interaction,and artifi cial prosthetics.Flexible proximity sensors can accurately perceive external objects without contact,introducing a new way to achieve an ultrasensitive perception of objects.This article reviews the progress of fl exible capacitive proximity sensors,fl exible triboelectric proximity sensors,and fl exible gate-enhanced proximity sensors,focusing on their applications in the electronic skin fi eld.Herein,their working mechanism,materials,preparation methods,and research progress are discussed in detail.Finally,we summarize the future challenges in developing fl exible proximity sensors.

Bioinspired Ultrasensitive Flexible Strain Sensors for Real‑Time Wireless Detection of Liquid Leakage

Liquid leakage of pipeline networks not only results in considerableresource wastage but also leads to environmental pollution and ecological imbalance.In response to this global issue, a bioinspired superhydrophobic thermoplastic polyurethane/carbon nanotubes/graphene nanosheets flexible strain sensor (TCGS) hasbeen developed using a combination of micro-extrusion compression molding andsurface modification for real-time wireless detection of liquid leakage. The TCGSutilizes the synergistic effects of Archimedean spiral crack arrays and micropores,which are inspired by the remarkable sensory capabilities of scorpions. This designachieves a sensitivity of 218.13 at a strain of 2%, which is an increase of 4300%. Additionally, it demonstrates exceptional durability bywithstanding over 5000 usage cycles. The robust superhydrophobicity of the TCGS significantly enhances sensitivity and stability indetecting small-scale liquid leakage, enabling precise monitoring of liquid leakage across a wide range of sizes, velocities, and compositionswhile issuing prompt alerts. This provides critical early warnings for both industrial pipelines and potential liquid leakage scenariosin everyday life. The development and utilization of bioinspired ultrasensitive flexible strain sensors offer an innovative and effectivesolution for the early wireless detection of liquid leakage.

Flexible Strain Sensors with Ultra‑High Sensitivity and Wide Range Enabled by Crack‑Modulated Electrical Pathways

This study presents a breakthrough in flexible strain sensor technology with the development of an ultrahigh sensitivity and wide-range sensor,addressing the critical challenge of reconciling sensitivity with measurement range.Inspired by the structure of bamboo slips,we introduce a novel approach that utilises liquid metal to modulate the electrical pathways within a cracked platinum fabric electrode.The resulting sensor demonstrates a gauge factor greater than 108 and a strain measurement capability exceeding 100%.The integration of patterned liquid metal enables customisable tuning of the sensor’s response,while the porous fabric structure ensures superior comfort and air permeability for the wearer.Our design not only optimises the sensor’s performance but also enhances the electrical stability that is essential for practical applications.Through systematic investigation,we reveal the intrinsic mechanisms governing the sensor’s response,offering valuable insights for the design of wearable strain sensors.The sensor’s exceptional performance across a spectrum of applications,from micro-strain to large-strain detection,highlights its potential for a wide range of real-world uses,demonstrating a significant advancement in the field of flexible electronics.

A smart finger patch with coupled magnetoelastic and resistive bending sensors

In the era of Metaverse and virtual reality(VR)/augmented reality(AR),capturing finger motion and force interactions is crucial for immersive human-machine interfaces.This study introduces a flexible electronic skin for the index finger,addressing coupled perception of both state and process in dynamic tactile sensing.The device integrates resistive and giant magnetoelastic sensors,enabling detection of surface pressure and finger joint bending.This e-skin identifies three phases of finger action:bending state,dynamic normal force and tangential force(sweeping).The system comprises resistive carbon nanotubes(CNT)/polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS)films for bending sensing and magnetoelastic sensors(NdFeB particles,EcoFlex,and flexible coils)for pressure detection.The inward bending resistive sensor,based on self-assembled microstructures,exhibits directional specificity with a response time under 120 ms and bending sensitivity from 0°to 120°.The magnetoelastic sensors demonstrate specific responses to frequency and deformation magnitude,as well as sensitivity to surface roughness during sliding and material hardness.The system’s capability is demonstrated through tactile-based bread type and condition recognition,achieving 92%accuracy.This intelligent patch shows broad potential in enhancing interactions across various fields,from VR/AR interfaces and medical diagnostics to smart manufacturing and industrial automation.

Design strategies and insights of flexible infrared optoelectronic sensors

Infrared optoelectronic sensing is the core of many critical applications such as night vision,health and medication,military,space exploration,etc.Further including mechanical flexibility as a new dimension enables novel features of adaptability and conformability,promising for developing next-generation optoelectronic sensory applications toward reduced size,weight,price,power consumption,and enhanced performance(SWaP^(3)).However,in this emerging research frontier,challenges persist in simultaneously achieving high infrared response and good mechanical deformability in devices and integrated systems.Therefore,we perform a comprehensive review of the design strategies and insights of flexible infrared optoelectronic sensors,including the fundamentals of infrared photodetectors,selection of materials and device architectures,fabrication techniques and design strategies,and the discussion of architectural and functional integration towards applications in wearable optoelectronics and advanced image sensing.Finally,this article offers insights into future directions to practically realize the ultra-high performance and smart sensors enabled by infrared-sensitive materials,covering challenges in materials development and device micro-/nanofabrication.Benchmarks for scaling these techniques across fabrication,performance,and integration are presented,alongside perspectives on potential applications in medication and health,biomimetic vision,and neuromorphic sensory systems,etc.

Implantable Electrochemical Microsensors for In Vivo Monitoring of Animal Physiological Information

In vivo monitoring of animal physiological information plays a crucial role in promptly alerting humans to potential diseases in animals and aiding in the exploration of mechanisms underlying human diseases.Currently,implantable electrochemical microsensors have emerged as a prominent area of research.These microsensors not only fulfill the technical requirements for monitoring animal physiological information but also offer an ideal platform for integration.They have been extensively studied for their ability to monitor animal physiological information in a minimally invasive manner,characterized by their bloodless,painless features,and exceptional performance.The development of implantable electrochemical microsensors for in vivo monitoring of animal physiological information has witnessed significant scientific and technological advancements through dedicated efforts.This review commenced with a comprehensive discussion of the construction of microsensors,including the materials utilized and the methods employed for fabrication.Following this,we proceeded to explore the various implantation technologies employed for electrochemical microsensors.In addition,a comprehensive overview was provided of the various applications of implantable electrochemical microsensors,specifically in the monitoring of diseases and the investigation of disease mechanisms.Lastly,a concise conclusion was conducted on the recent advancements and significant obstacles pertaining to the practical implementation of implantable electrochemical microsensors.

Collaborative positioning for swarms:A brief survey of vision,LiDAR and wireless sensors based methods

As positioning sensors,edge computation power,and communication technologies continue to develop,a moving agent can now sense its surroundings and communicate with other agents.By receiving spatial information from both its environment and other agents,an agent can use various methods and sensor types to localize itself.With its high flexibility and robustness,collaborative positioning has become a widely used method in both military and civilian applications.This paper introduces the basic fundamental concepts and applications of collaborative positioning,and reviews recent progress in the field based on camera,LiDAR(Light Detection and Ranging),wireless sensor,and their integration.The paper compares the current methods with respect to their sensor type,summarizes their main paradigms,and analyzes their evaluation experiments.Finally,the paper discusses the main challenges and open issues that require further research.

High‑Performance Cellulose Nanofibers/Carbon Nanotubes Composite for Constructing Multifunctional Sensors and Wearable Electronics

The green preparation of highly dispersed carbon nanotube(CNT)conductive inks remains a critical challenge in the field of flexible electronics.Herein,a waterborne CNT dispersion approach mediated by carboxylated cellulose nanofibers(C-CNFs)was proposed.CNFs,special biomass materials with excellent nanostructures and abundant active surface groups,are used as green dispersants.During the dispersion process,benefiting from chemical charge and dimensional matching,C-CNF/CNT wicking-driven stable composite structures(CCNTs)were co-assembled via hydrogen bonding,electrostatic stabilization andπ–πstacking between the interfaces,generating controlled orientational structures and promoting stable dispersion and conductivity of CNTs,which were demonstrated via molecular dynamics simulations combined with a variety of physicochemical characterization methods.The dispersion concentration of CNTs in a CCNT slurry can reach 80 wt%,and the obtained CCNT slurry has a low zeta potential(less than−60 mV)and good stability.Due to the film-forming properties of CNFs and in-plane oriented self-assembly of CCNT,the composite self-supporting films were fabricated with high electrical conductivity(67 S cm^(−1))and mechanical performance(tensile strength of 153 MPa).In addition,the resulting biobased CCNT ink is compatible with a variety of printing processes and adaptable to various substrates.Moreover,this ink can be used to construct multifunctional advanced sensors with electrochemical,electrothermal,and deformation/piezoresistive responses,which demonstrate excellent performance in monitoring human health.

Characteristic Study of Self-Powered Sensors Based on Native Protein Composite Film

Flexible electronic sensors composed of flexible film and conductive materials play an increasingly important role in wearable and internet information transmission.It has received more and more attention and made some progress over the decades.However,it is still a great challenge to prepare biocompatible and highly transparent conductive films.Egg white is a pure natural protein-rich material.Hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose has a good compatibility and high transparency,which is an ideal material for flexible sensors.Here,we overcome the problem of poor mechanical flexibility and electrical conductivity of protein,and develop a high transparency and good flexibility hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose/egg white protein composite membrane-based triboelectric nanogenerator('X'-TENG).The experimental results show that the flexible pressure sensor based on'X'-TENG has a high sensitivity,fast response speed,and low detection limit.It can even be used as a touch/pressure sensing artificial electronic skin.It can also be made into an intelligent waffle keyboard for recording and tracking users of the keyboard.Our strategy may provide a new way to easily build flexible electronic sensors and move toward practical applications.

Advances of Electrochemical and Electrochemiluminescent Sensors Based on Covalent Organic Frameworks

Covalent organic frameworks(COFs),a rapidly developing category of crystalline conjugated organic polymers,possess highly ordered structures,large specific surface areas,stable chemical properties,and tunable pore microenvironments.Since the first report of boroxine/boronate ester-linked COFs in 2005,COFs have rapidly gained popularity,showing important application prospects in various fields,such as sensing,catalysis,separation,and energy storage.Among them,COFs-based electrochemical(EC)sensors with upgraded analytical performance are arousing extensive interest.In this review,therefore,we summarize the basic properties and the general synthesis methods of COFs used in the field of electroanalytical chemistry,with special emphasis on their usages in the fabrication of chemical sensors,ions sensors,immunosensors,and aptasensors.Notably,the emerged COFs in the electrochemiluminescence(ECL)realm are thoroughly covered along with their preliminary applications.Additionally,final conclusions on state-of-the-art COFs are provided in terms of EC and ECL sensors,as well as challenges and prospects for extending and improving the research and applications of COFs in electroanalytical chemistry.

Solvent-Resistant Wearable Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Energy-Harvesting and Self-Powered Sensors

Wearable triboelectric nanogenerators(TENGs)have attracted attention owing to their ability to harvest energy from the surrounding environment without maintenance.Herein,polyetherimide-Al_(2)O_(3)(PAl)and polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene(PVDF-HFP,PH)nanofiber membranes were used as tribo-positive and tribo-negative materials,respectively.Phytic acid-doped polyaniline(PANI)/cotton fabric(PPCF)and ethylenediamine(EDA)-crosslinked PAl(EPAl)nanofiber membranes were used as triboelectrode and triboencapsulation materials,respectively.The result showed that when the PAl-PH-based TENG was shaped as a circle with a radius of 1 cm,under the pressure of 50 N,and the frequency of 0.5 Hz,the open-circuit voltage(V_(oc))and short-circuit current(I_(sc))reached the highest value of 66.6 V and-93.4 to 110.1 nA,respectively.Moreover,the PH-based TENG could be used as a fabric sensor to detect fabric composition and as a sensor-inductive switch for light bulbs or beeping warning devices.When the PAl-PH-based TENG was shaped as a 5×5 cm^(2)rectangle,a 33 pF capacitor could be charged to 15 V in 28 s.Interestingly,compared to PAl nanofiber membranes,EPAl nanofiber membranes exhibited good dyeing properties and excellent solvent resistance.The PPCF exhibited<5%resistance change after washing,bending,and stretching.

Blade-Coated Porous 3D Carbon Composite Electrodes Coupled with Multiscale Interfaces for Highly Sensitive All-Paper Pressure Sensors

Flexible and wearable pressure sensors hold immense promise for health monitoring,covering disease detection and postoperative rehabilitation.Developing pressure sensors with high sensitivity,wide detection range,and cost-effectiveness is paramount.By leveraging paper for its sustainability,biocompatibility,and inherent porous structure,herein,a solution-processed all-paper resistive pressure sensor is designed with outstanding performance.A ternary composite paste,comprising a compressible 3D carbon skeleton,conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate),and cohesive carbon nanotubes,is blade-coated on paper and naturally dried to form the porous composite electrode with hierachical micro-and nano-structured surface.Combined with screen-printed Cu electrodes in submillimeter finger widths on rough paper,this creates a multiscale hierarchical contact interface between electrodes,significantly enhancing sensitivity(1014 kPa-1)and expanding the detection range(up to 300 kPa)of as-resulted all-paper pressure sensor with low detection limit and power consumption.Its versatility ranges from subtle wrist pulses,robust finger taps,to large-area spatial force detection,highlighting its intricate submillimetermicrometer-nanometer hierarchical interface and nanometer porosity in the composite electrode.Ultimately,this all-paper resistive pressure sensor,with its superior sensing capabilities,large-scale fabrication potential,and cost-effectiveness,paves the way for next-generation wearable electronics,ushering in an era of advanced,sustainable technological solutions.

Hybrid pedestrian positioning system using wearable inertial sensors and ultrasonic ranging

Pedestrian positioning system(PPS)using wearable inertial sensors has wide applications towards various emerging fields such as smart healthcare,emergency rescue,soldier positioning,etc.The performance of traditional PPS is limited by the cumulative error of inertial sensors,complex motion modes of pedestrians,and the low robustness of the multi-sensor collaboration structure.This paper presents a hybrid pedestrian positioning system using the combination of wearable inertial sensors and ultrasonic ranging(H-PPS).A robust two nodes integration structure is developed to adaptively combine the motion data acquired from the single waist-mounted and foot-mounted node,and enhanced by a novel ellipsoid constraint model.In addition,a deep-learning-based walking speed estimator is proposed by considering all the motion features provided by different nodes,which effectively reduces the cumulative error originating from inertial sensors.Finally,a comprehensive data and model dual-driven model is presented to effectively combine the motion data provided by different sensor nodes and walking speed estimator,and multi-level constraints are extracted to further improve the performance of the overall system.Experimental results indicate that the proposed H-PPS significantly improves the performance of the single PPS and outperforms existing algorithms in accuracy index under complex indoor scenarios.

A Review on Soft Ionic Touch Point Sensors

A touch sensor is an essential component in meeting the growing demand for human-machine interfaces.These sensors have been developed in wearable,attachable,and even implantable forms to acquire a wide range of information from humans.To be applied to the human body,sensors are required to be biocompatible and not restrict the natural movement of the body.Ionic materials are a promising candidate for soft touch sensors due to their outstanding properties,which include high stretchability,transparency,ionic conductivity,and biocompatibility.Here,this review discusses the unique features of soft ionic touch point sensors,focusing on the ionic material and its key role in the sensor.The touch sensing mechanisms include piezocapacitive,piezoresistive,surface capacitive,piezoelectric,and triboelectric and triboresistive sensing.This review analyzes the implementation hurdles and future research directions of the soft ionic touch sensors for their transformative potential.

Leveraging electrochemical sensors to improve efficiency of cancer detection

Electrochemical biosensors have emerged as a promising technology for cancer detection due to their high sensitivity,rapid response,low cost,and capability for non-invasive detection.Recent advances in nanomaterials like nanoparticles,graphene,and nanowires have enhanced sensor performance to allow for cancer biomarker detection,like circulating tumor cells,nucleic acids,proteins and metabolites,at ultra-low concentrations.However,several challenges need to be addressed before electrochemical biosensors can be clinically implemented.These include improving sensor selectivity in complex biological media,device miniaturization for implantable applications,integration with data analytics,handling biomarker variability,and navigating regulatory approval.This editorial critically examines the prospects of electrochemical biosensors for efficient,low-cost and minimally invasive cancer screening.We discuss recent developments in nanotechnology,microfabrication,electronics integration,multiplexing,and machine learning that can help realize the potential of these sensors.However,significant interdisciplinary efforts among researchers,clinicians,regulators and the healthcare industry are still needed to tackle limitations in selectivity,size constraints,data interpretation,biomarker validation,toxicity and commercial translation.With committed resources and pragmatic strategies,electrochemical biosensors could enable routine early cancer detection and dramatically reduce the global cancer burden.