Transcript
The world is accelerating rapidly towards a stage in history marked by increased automation and interconnectivity and leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics. A sometimes-overlooked foundational requirement of this new paradigm are sensors which represent an essential interface between humans, machines, and their environments.
Unfortunately, now that robots are becoming more agile and wearable electronics are no longer confined to science fiction, traditional silicon-based sensors won’t make the cut in many applications. Thus, flexible sensors, which provide better comfort and higher versatility, have become a very active area of study. Piezoelectric sensors are particularly important in this regard, as they can convert mechanical stress and stretching into an electrical signal.
Despite numerous efforts, a lack of environmentally sustainable methods for mass-producing flexible, high-performance piezoelectric sensors at a low cost has remained elusive. Fortunately, a recent study, published in the journal Advanced Fiber Materials, described development of a novel piezoelectric composite material made from electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride nanofibers combined with dopamine.
Sensors made from this material showed significant performance and stability improvements at a low cost, promising advancements in medicine, healthcare, and robotics. The new flexible sensor design involves the stepwise electrospinning of a composite 2D nanofiber membrane. And the sensors fabricated using so-called PVDF/DA composite membranes exhibited superb performance, including a wide response range, high sensitivity, and excellent operational durability.
These exceptional qualities were demonstrated practically using wearable sensors to measure a wide variety of human movements and actions. More specifically, the proposed sensors, when worn by a human, produced a voltage response easily distinguishable from natural motions and physiological signals. This included finger tapping, knee and elbow bending, foot stamping, and even speaking and wrist pulses.
Given the potential low-cost mass production of these piezoelectric sensors, combined with their use of environmentally friendly organic materials instead of harmful inorganics, this study could have important technological implications not only for health monitoring and diagnostics, but also robotics. Despite the current challenges, humanoid robots are poised to play an increasingly integral role in the very near future. For instance, the well-known Tesla robot ‘Optimus’ can already mimic human motions and walk like a human.
Considering high-tech sensors are currently being used to monitor robot motions, our proposed nanofiber-based superior piezoelectric sensors hold much potential not only for monitoring human movements, but also in the field of humanoid robotics. To make the adoption of these sensors easier, the research team will be focusing on improving the material’s electrical output properties so that flexible electronic components can be driven without the need for an external power source. Hopefully, further progress in this area will accelerate our stride towards the intelligent era, leading to more comfortable and sustainable lives.
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