Smart threads can be woven into pressure-sensitive electronic skin for robots or medical prosthetics.
Fabrics containing flexible electronics are appearing in many novel products, such as clothes with in-built screens and solar panels. More impressively, these fabrics can act as electronic skins that can sense their surroundings and could have applications in robotics and prosthetic medicine. KAUST researchers have now developed smart threads that detect the strength and location of pressures exerted on them1.
Most flexible sensors function by detecting changes in the electrical properties of materials in response to pressure, temperature, humidity or the presence of gases. Electronic skins are built up as arrays of several individual sensors. These arrays currently need complex wiring and data analysis, which makes them too heavy, large or expensive for large-scale production.
Yanlong Tai and Gilles Lubineau from the University’s Division of Physical Science and Engineering have found a different approach. They built their smart threads from cotton threads coated with layers of one of the miracle materials of nanotechnology: single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs).
“Cotton threads are a classic material for fabrics, so they seemed a logical choice,” said Lubineau. “Networks of nanotubes are also known to have piezoresistive properties, meaning their electrical resistance depends on the applied pressure.”
The researchers showed their threads had decreased resistance when subjected to stronger mechanical strains, and crucially the amplitude of the resistance change also depended on the thickness of the SWCNT coating.
These findings led the researchers to their biggest breakthrough: they developed threads of graded thickness with a thick SWCNT layer at one end tapering to a thin layer at the other end. Then, by combining threads in pairs—one with graded thickness and one of uniform thickness—the researchers could not only detect the strength of an applied pressure load, but also the position of the load along the threads.
“Our system is not the first technology to sense both the strength and position of applied pressures, but our graded structure avoids the need for complicated electrode wirings, heavy data recording and analysis,” said Tai.
The researchers have used their smart threads to build two- and three-dimensional arrays that accurately detect pressures similar to those that real people and robots might be exposed to.
“We hope that electronic skins made from our smart threads could benefit any robot or medical prosthetic in which pressure sensing is important, such as artificial hands,” said Lubineau.
Learn more: Threading the way to touch-sensitive robots
The Latest on: Pressure-sensitive electronic skin
[google_news title=”” keyword=”pressure-sensitive electronic skin” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Pressure-sensitive electronic skin
- Stretchable E-Skin Could Give Robots Human-Level Touch Sensitivityon May 7, 2024 at 1:21 am
The first-ever stretchy electronic skin could equip robots with the same softness and touch sensitivity as human skin, enabling them to perform tasks that require precision and force control.
- Stretchable skin could give caregiving robots a more human touchon May 4, 2024 at 12:06 pm
Newly developed stretchable electronic skin might soon give robots and other devices the same softness and touch sensitivity as human skin.
- New stretchable robot skin prevents tactile measurement errorson May 3, 2024 at 8:36 am
Artificial skin by Texan researchers is stretchable but avoids the issue of inaccurate knife bite simulations, offering precise tactile feedback.
- New 'e-skin' mimics human skin and could one day be used on robots, UT researchers sayon May 3, 2024 at 7:43 am
Researchers at the University of Texas in Austin have developed the first stretchy, electronic skin with many of the ... "No matter how much our e-skin stretches, the pressure response doesn't change, ...
- Stretchable e-skin could give robots human-level touch sensitivityon May 2, 2024 at 5:00 pm
A stretchy electronic skin could equip robots ... "No matter how much our e-skin stretches, the pressure response doesn't change, and that is a significant achievement." The new research was ...
- The 10 Very Best Electric Razorson April 26, 2024 at 3:10 am
But depending on how much hair you have (and how sensitive your skin is), certain electric razors will be ... a bold and easy-to-read digital display, pressure sensors, or companion apps can ...
- Top 5 Best Electric Shavers for Sensitive Skin 2024on April 23, 2024 at 9:45 am
This is the time when electric shavers are useful particularly ... SensoFlex swivel head and SensoFoil blades minimize pressure on sensitive skin for comfort. AutoSense technology adjusts power ...
- 14 best sunscreens for sensitive skin to protect you from UV rayson April 10, 2024 at 5:19 am
Just like any other skincare buy, the type of SPF you choose depends on your skin type. Those with sensitive skin can suffer from redness or irritation from certain ingredients and fragrances in ...
- The 11 Best Electric Razors for Women, Tested and Reviewed by Editorson March 26, 2024 at 9:30 am
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission. Updated October 7th: This article on the best electric razors for ...
- Understanding Electronic Skinon February 27, 2024 at 10:12 am
Advances in materials science have enabled e-skin to be sensitive ... detect the pressure needed to grasp different objects, allowing users to perform tasks with greater precision and sensitivity.
via Bing News