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Updated: Jul 17, 2025

Temperature-Controlled Assembly and Characterization of a Droplet Interface Bilayer
Published on: April 19, 2021
Biomimetic Ion Channel Regulation for Temperature-Pressure Decoupled Tactile Perception
Naiwei Gao1, Jiaoya Huang2,3, Zhiwu Chen4
1Center for Stretchable Electronics and Nano Sensors, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China.
Abstract:
The perception of temperature and pressure of skin plays a vital role in joint movement, hand grasp, emotional expression, and self-protection of human. Among many biomimetic materials, ionic gels are uniquely suited to simulate the function of skin due to its ionic transport mechanism. However, both the temperature and pressure sensing are heavily dependent on the changes in ionic conductivity, making it impossible to decouple the temperature and pressure signals. Here, a pressure-insensitive and temperature-modulated ion channel is designed by synergistic strategies for gel skeleton's compact packing and ultra-thin structure, mimicking the function of the temperature ion channel in human skin. This ion-confined gel can completely suppress the pressure response of the temperature sensing layer. Furthermore, a temperature-pressure decoupled ionic sensor is fabricated and it is demonstrated that the ionic sensor can sense complex signals of temperature and pressure. This novel and effective approach has great potential to overcome one of the current barriers in developing ionic skin and extending its applications.
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