All‐Fiber Structured Electronic Skin with High Elasticity and Breathability

• Published in: Advanced functional materials 2020-02, Vol.30 (6), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Li, Zhaoling, Zhu, Miaomiao, Shen, Jiali, Qiu, Qian, Yu, Jianyong, Ding, Bin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: all‐fiber structure; Artificial intelligence; Detection; Elastic deformation; Elasticity; elasticity and breathability; electronic skin; Mapping; Materials science; Object recognition; Permeability; pressure sensing; Sensitivity; Water vapor; Wearable technology
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201908411

With the rapid advancement in artificial intelligence, wearable electronic skins have attracted substantial attention. However, the fabrication of such devices with high elasticity and breathability is still a challenge and highly desired. Here, a route to develop an all‐fiber structured electronic skin with a scalable electrospinning fabrication technique is reported. The fabricated electronic skin is demonstrated to exhibit high pressure sensing with a sensitivity of 0.18 V kPa−1 in the detection range of 0–175 kPa. This wearable device could maintain prominent sensing performance and mechanical stability in the presence of large deformation, even when the elastic deformation is up to 50%. The electronic skin is easily conformable on different desired objects for real‐time spatial mapping and long‐term tactile sensing. Besides, it possesses high gas permeability with a water vapor transmittance rate of 10.26 kg m−2 d−1. More importantly, the electronic skin is capable of working in a self‐powered manner and even serves as a reliable power source to effectively drive small electronics. Possessing several compelling features, such as high sensitivity, high elasticity, high breathability as well as being self‐powered and scalable in fabrication, the presented device paves a pathway for smart electronic skins. A highly elastic and breathable electronic skin is developed with an all‐fiber structure. It exhibits a pressure sensitivity of 0.18 V kPa−1 in the detection range of 0–175 kPa and maintains excellent mechanical stability in the presence of large deformation. The electronic skin is easily conformable on different desired objects for real‐time spatial mapping and long‐term tactile sensing.