Issue

Vol. 15 (2023)

Skin-Inspired Ultra-Tough Supramolecular Multifunctional Hydrogel Electronic Skin for Human–Machine Interaction

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-023-01084-8
Kun Chen
College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110169, People’s Republic of China
Kewei Liang
College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110169, People’s Republic of China
He Liu
College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110169, People’s Republic of China
Ruonan Liu
College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110169, People’s Republic of China
Yiying Liu
College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110169, People’s Republic of China
Sijia Zeng
College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110169, People’s Republic of China
Ye Tian
College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110169, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Ye Tian

tianye@bmie.neu.edu.cn

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 15 (2023), Article Number: 102

Abstract

Multifunctional supramolecular ultra-tough bionic e-skin with unique durability for human–machine interaction in complex scenarios still remains challenging. Herein, we develop a skin-inspired ultra-tough e-skin with tunable mechanical properties by a physical cross-linking salting-freezing-thawing method. The gelling agent (β-Glycerophosphate sodium: Gp) induces the aggregation and binding of PVA molecular chains and thereby toughens them (stress up to 5.79 MPa, toughness up to 13.96 MJ m−3). Notably, due to molecular self-assembly, hydrogels can be fully recycled and reprocessed by direct heating (100 °C for a few seconds), and the tensile strength can still be maintained at about 100% after six recoveries. The hydrogel integrates transparency (> 60%), super toughness (up to 13.96 MJ m−3, bearing 1500 times of its own tensile weight), good antibacterial properties (E. coli and S. aureus), UV protection (Filtration: 80%–90%), high electrical conductivity (4.72 S m−1), anti-swelling and recyclability. The hydrogel can not only monitor daily physiological activities, but also be used for complex activities underwater and message encryption/decryption. We also used it to create a complete finger joint rehabilitation system with an interactive interface that dynamically presents the user’s health status. Our multifunctional electronic skin will have a profound impact on the future of new rehabilitation medical, human–machine interaction, VR/AR and the metaverse fields.


Highlights:


1 The skin-inspired multifunctional ultra-tough electronic skin with tunable mechanical properties was developed by a physically cross-linking salting-freezing-thawing method.
2 The hydrogel integrates transparency (>60%), super toughness (up to 13.96 MJ m−3), good antibacterial properties (E. coli and S. aureus), UV protection (Filtration: 80%–90%), high electrical conductivity (4.72 S m−1), anti-swelling and recyclability.
3 As a human–machine interface, it can be used for complex underwater activities, information encryption/decryption and finger joint rehabilitation training.

Keywords

Ultra-tough hydrogel Supramolecular Flexible electronics Knuckle training Human–machine interaction
Chen, Kun, Kewei Liang, He Liu, Ruonan Liu, Yiying Liu, Sijia Zeng, and Ye Tian. 2023. “Skin-Inspired Ultra-Tough Supramolecular Multifunctional Hydrogel Electronic Skin for Human–Machine Interaction”. Nano-Micro Letters 15 (April):102. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-023-01084-8.
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