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Bioinspired Iontronic Pressure Sensor with Ultrawide Range and High Sensitivity
Zijun Pan1, Bolong Qin1, Zhanghao Lin1
1School of Applied Physics and Materials, Jiangmen Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Functional Materials and Devices, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, P.R. China.
ACS Sensors
|August 21, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed a bioinspired iontronic pressure sensor (IPS) overcoming sensitivity and range limitations. This flexible sensor mimics electric eels, offering high performance for human-machine interfaces and healthcare monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomimetics
- Sensor Technology
Background:
- Flexible pressure sensors face a trade-off between sensitivity and detection range, limiting applications in human-machine interfaces and healthcare.
- Existing sensors struggle with performance under demanding conditions, necessitating novel designs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a bioinspired iontronic pressure sensor (IPS) that overcomes the sensitivity-detection range limitations of conventional flexible pressure sensors.
- To leverage the ion-mediated electrogenesis of electric eels for enhanced sensor performance.
Main Methods:
- Coupling MXene-functionalized electrodes with a hierarchical silica aerogel/ionic liquid (ILA) dielectric.
- Utilizing pressure-driven, reversible ion migration within the dielectric and enhancing electrical double-layer (EDL) formation.
- Bioinspired design mimicking electric eel electrogenesis.
Main Results:
- Achieved an ultrawide detection range up to 5.8 MPa.
- Demonstrated high sensitivity (26,845 kPa⁻¹) within 400 kPa.
- Exhibited rapid response (5 ms) and recovery (6 ms) times, over 10,000 loading cycles durability, and flame retardancy.
Conclusions:
- The bioinspired IPS architecture effectively overcomes the sensitivity-detection range trade-off.
- The sensor's capabilities enable monitoring of subtle physiological signals and complex human motions in harsh conditions.
- This approach advances flexible pressure sensors for adaptive robotics, intelligent wearables, and healthcare diagnostics.
