Imagine wearing a smart sensor on your skin that can detect the slightest touch, pressure, or temperature.
This futuristic technology, which could be used in areas like healthcare, robotics, and consumer electronics, is now closer to reality thanks to new research from scientists at Peking University.
In a recent study published in Science Advances, researchers have developed a new type of flexible sensor using 3D micro strain gauges.
These sensors can attach to the skin and track biomechanical signals, such as muscle movements or body pressure.
This advanced technology allows for precise, wireless monitoring of body signals, making it ideal for future use in electronic skins or other flexible devices.
Han Mengdi, the lead researcher from Peking University, explains that 3D micro strain gauges are a game-changer for tactile sensors and electronic skins.
By turning flat, 2D strain gauges into 3D forms using a technique compatible with microfabrication, the sensors can detect more complex forces and provide better, high-density data.
The key to the success of these 3D strain gauges lies in their structure. Unlike traditional strain gauges, which are flat, these new sensors are three-dimensional.
This shape allows them to measure not only pressure but also forces in different directions, such as normal (straight down) and shear (sideways) forces.
Plus, they can even track changes in temperature. Each sensor contains four 3D micro strain gauges arranged in different directions to ensure accurate readings.
Chen Xu, a Ph.D. student involved in the study, highlights the sensors’ customization potential. By changing the shape of the 3D structure, the thickness of each layer, and the material used to encase the sensor, researchers can easily adjust its sensitivity and performance.
This flexibility makes the sensors highly adaptable for various uses, from detecting muscle movement in athletes to monitoring a patient’s health.
Yiran Wang, another Ph.D. student and co-author of the paper, adds that the team also created a special circuit to prevent interference between signals. This circuit enables clear, precise mapping of both normal and shear forces, making the sensors even more reliable.
These flexible 3D micro strain gauges could have wide-ranging applications, from robotics and biomedicine to wearable technology for consumers.
Their ability to work with both small-scale microelectronics and larger systems opens the door to many possibilities.
This breakthrough technology not only improves how we measure touch and force but also points the way to new advancements in flexible electronics and wearable devices.
