Electronic sensor rivals sensitivity of human skin
July 30, 2012
When sandwiched together, two layers of tiny hairs can sense pressure, shear and torsion (scale bar, 1 micron) (credit: Changhyun Pang et al./Nature Materials)
A flexible electronic sensor made from interlocking hairs can detect the gentle steps of a ladybird and distinguish between shear and twisting forces, just as human skin can, Nature News reports.
It can also be strapped to the wrist and used as a heart-rate monitor.
The sensor’s design was inspired by beetle wing-locking structures. When the sensor sheet is pressed, twisted or brushed, the squishy, metal-coated hairs change position, generating changes in the sensor’s electrical resistance.
Unique features include:
- Sensitive to pressures of just five pascals — gentler than the lightest of touches — very useful for robots designed to interact with people.
- Can be made in very large sheets.
- High spatial resolution to pinpoint where on the surface the pressure is being applied.
Comments (1)
by Gorden Russell
In six years these interlocking hairs will cover the hands of robonurses, and in seven and a half years on the hands of robodoctors.