Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 16, 2026
05:57
Author Spotlight: Microfluidic Channel-Based Soft Electrodes and Their Application in Capacitive Pressure Sensing
Published on: March 17, 2023
4.0K
Supramolecular Cross-Linking Enables Highly Stretchable and Ultrasensitive
Fazal Ul Nisa1, Muhammad Tahir2, Shehroz Khalid3
1School of Mechanical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Construction and Healthy Operation and Maintenance of Deep Underground Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China.
ACS Nano
|September 26, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a new stretchable tactile sensor using dynamic supramolecular cross-links. The flexible electronic skin sensor maintains stable conductivity under strain for advanced healthcare monitoring and human-machine interaction.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Wearable tactile sensors require high stretchability and stable conductivity for applications like electronic skin and healthcare monitoring.
- Existing sensors face challenges with mechanical stiffening and signal nonlinearity due to material limitations under deformation.
- Polyurethane-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PU-PEDOT) sensors often suffer from reduced stretchability and compliance due to PEDOT crystallization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a highly stretchable and conductive tactile sensor overcoming the limitations of existing PU-PEDOT designs.
- To engineer a dynamic supramolecular network for enhanced mechanical resilience and stable electrical pathways.
- To demonstrate the sensor's capability for real-time physiological signal monitoring.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a dynamic PolyFlex (PF) network (PF-CDPEG) using PEGylated sliding cyclodextrins (CD-PR), PEGMA, and PEGDA.
- Utilizing supramolecular zipper cross-links formed by α-CD rings on PEG axles for dynamic stress dissipation.
- Optimization of the sensor's porous architecture and supramolecular cross-linking for improved performance.
Main Results:
- The optimized PF-CDPEG-Opt sensor achieved exceptional stretchability up to 1550% strain.
- Demonstrated rapid response and recovery times (14 ms/12 ms) and high sensitivity (>300 kPa-1).
- Achieved a low detection limit of 0.9-2 Pa and enabled real-time monitoring of physiological signals like arterial pulse and joint motion.
Conclusions:
- A scalable strategy for developing flexible, highly sensitive tactile sensors with stable conductivity under extreme deformation was demonstrated.
- The supramolecular approach effectively addresses the mechanical and electrical stability challenges in wearable sensor design.
- The developed sensor holds significant potential for applications in soft robotics, artificial skin, and advanced biomedical interfaces.
