A skin-integrated transparent and stretchable strain sensor with interactive color-changing electrochromic displays

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Wearable Technology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Developing advanced sensors for human-machine interfaces is crucial.
• Stretchable and transparent electronics offer new possibilities for wearable applications.
• Interactive systems that provide real-time feedback are in high demand.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a human skin-inspired interactive color-changing system.
• To integrate a stretchable strain sensor with a flexible electrochromic device (ECD).
• To enable real-time visual display of body motion through color variation.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a stretchable strain sensor using a nanocomposite film (poly(vinyl alcohol)/multi-walled carbon nanotube/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)) on a polydimethylsiloxane substrate.
• Construction of an electrochromic device (ECD) using electrochemically synthesized polyaniline nanofibers and V₂O₅ on an indium-tin-oxide-coated polyethylene terephthalate film.
• Integration of the strain sensor and ECD on skin via an Arduino circuit for interactive color change based on applied strain.

Main Results:

• The strain sensor demonstrated high sensitivity, durability, fast response, and high transparency.
• The ECD exhibited a color change from yellow to dark blue upon voltage application.
• The integrated system successfully provided an interactive color change correlating with applied strain, enabling real-time visual feedback of body motion.

Conclusions:

• The developed integrated system offers a novel human skin-inspired interactive color-changing platform.
• This technology shows significant potential for applications in interactive wearable devices, military technology, and smart robotics.
• The combination of a stretchable strain sensor and an ECD provides a unique approach to visualising physical changes.