An ambient-stable and stretchable ionic skin with multimodal sensation. Issue 2 (22nd October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ying, Binbin; Wu, Qiyang; Li, Jianyu; Liu, Xinyu
• Is Part Of: Materials horizons. Volume 7:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 477
• Page End: 488
• Publication Date: 2019-10-22
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c9mh00715f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2051-6347

Abstract

Abstract : A diode-like artificial ionic skin for strain and humidity sensing with controlled ion mobility, high toughness, stretchability, ambient stability and transparency. Abstract : Skin serves as a physical and hygroscopic barrier to protect the inner body, and also contains sensory receptors to perceive environmental and mechanical stimuli. To recapitulate these salient features, hydrogel-based artificial skins have been developed. However, existing designs are constrained by limited functionality, low stability, and requirement of external power. Herein, a novel artificial ionic skin (AIskin) – an analog of the diode based on controlled ion mobility – is demonstrated with high toughness, stretchability, ambient stability and transparency. The AIskin consists of a bilayer of oppositely-charged, double-network hydrogel, and converts mechanical stimuli and humidity into signals of resistance, capacitance, open-circuit voltage (OCV), and short-circuit current (SCC), among which the OCV- and SCC-based sensing signals are self-generated. Its multimodal sensation is maintained in a wide range of relative humidities (13–85%). It is demonstrated for wearable strain-humidity sensing, human–machine interaction and walking energy harvesting. This work will open new avenues toward next-generation, skin-inspired wearable electronics.