A flexible field-limited ordered ZnO nanorod-based self-powered tactile sensor array for electronic skin

Nanoscale. 2016 Sep 15;8(36):16302-16306. doi: 10.1039/c6nr04057h.

Abstract

A tactile sensor is an essential component for realizing biomimetic robots, while the flexibility of the tactile sensor is a pivotal feature for its application, especially for electronic skin. In this work, a flexible self-powered tactile sensor array was designed based on the piezoelectricity of ZnO nanorods (NRs). The field-limited ordered ZnO NRs were synthesized on a flexible Kapton substrate to serve as the functional layer of the tactile sensor. The electrical output performances of the as-fabricated tactile sensor were measured under pressing and bending forces. Moreover, we measured the human-finger pressure detection performance of the tactile sensor array, suggesting that the corresponding mapping figure of finger pressure could be displayed on the monitor of a personal computer (PC) in the form of lighted LED and color density through a LabVIEW system. This as-grown sensory feedback system should be of potential valuable assistance for the users of hand prostheses to reduce the risk and obtain a greater feeling of using the prostheses.

MeSH terms

  • Electrical Equipment and Supplies
  • Equipment Design
  • Humans
  • Nanotubes*
  • Pressure
  • Touch*
  • Zinc Oxide*

Substances

  • Zinc Oxide