Bioinspired and bristled microparticles for ultrasensitive pressure and strain sensors.

ABSTRACT: Biological sensory organelles are often structurally optimized for high sensitivity. Tactile hairs or bristles are ubiquitous mechanosensory organelles in insects. The bristle features a tapering spine that not only serves as a lever arm to promote signal transduction, but also a clever design to protect it from mechanical breaking. A hierarchical distribution over the body further improves the signal detection from all directions. We mimic these features by using synthetic zinc oxide microparticles, each having spherically-distributed, high-aspect-ratio, and high-density nanostructured spines resembling biological bristles. Sensors based on thin films assembled from these microparticles achieve static-pressure detection down to 0.015?Pa, sensitivity up to 121 kPa^-1, and a strain gauge factor >10⁴, showing supreme overall performance. Other properties including a robust cyclability >2000, fast response time ~7?ms, and low-temperature synthesis compatible to various integrations further indicate the potential of this sensor technology in applying to wearable technologies and human interfaces.

SUBMITTER: Yin B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6279775 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature