A multifunctional skin-like sensor based on a 3D printed thermo-responsive hydrogel

Abstract

An effective and general strategy is developed to prepare a multifunctional and mechanically compliant skin-like sensor by incorporating a 3D printed thermo-responsive hydrogel into a capacitor circuit. The prepared intelligent skin shows a sensitive and stable capacitance–temperature response, and also exhibits very high pressure sensitivity within 1 kPa, allowing it to sense body temperature, gentle finger touches and finger bending motion. This work not only demonstrates that stimuli-responsive hydrogels are promising candidates for artificially intelligent skins, but might also enrich the design of skin-like sensors for future artificial intelligence, wearable devices and human/machine interaction applications.