An adaptive ionic skin with multiple stimulus responses and moist-electric generation ability. Issue 34 (12th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pan, Xiaofeng; Wang, Qinhua; Guo, Runsheng; Cao, Shilin; Wu, Hui; Ouyang, Xinhua; Huang, Fang; Gao, Haili; Huang, Liulian; Zhang, Fan; Chen, Lihui; Ni, Yonghao; Liu, Kai
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 8:Issue 34(2020)
• Page Start: 17498
• Page End: 17506
• Publication Date: 2020-08-12
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c9ta13407g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : A low-cost ionic skin similar to natural skin was developed and it can achieve multiple sensing and moist-electric generation. Abstract : It is still a challenge for biomimetic skin to simultaneously achieve an exact match between the specific performance and the various stimulus recognitions of natural skin. Herein, we developed a smart ionic skin based on ion-conducting organohydrogel assemblies, which enables various stimulus responses via chemical and electrical signal transmission. This organohydrogel substrate endows the electronic skin with great transparency (93.8%), haze (27.8%), stretchability (450%), softness (8.2 mm), antifreeze (−63.28 °C), anti-dryness, conductivity, and thermal self-healing properties. The customized and kirigami-inspired pressure/strain-sensing component of the electronic skin allows excellent adaptability and high strain sensitivity. The resultant ionic skin also exhibits sensitive stimulation detection capabilities, including temperature and moisture, within wide ranges of temperature (−30–70 °C) and humidity (45–85% RH). Moreover, the spontaneous moist-electric-generating component produces a voltage potential of up to ∼0.17 V, available for imitating the energy supply station of natural skin. Such a low-cost, reliable, and sustainable ionic skin permits the potential development of complex devices on a large scale, desirable for bionic skins of robotics working under relatively harsh conditions.