Mechano-thermo-acoustic Multifunctional Sensor Based on an MXene/Silk Fibroin Aerogel

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Traditional sensors face limitations in material properties, fixed structures, and lack of 3D porous architectures.
• Growing demands for multifunctionality, miniaturization, and seamless integration require advanced sensor designs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a flexible sensor with multifunctionality and enhanced performance.
• To address the limitations of traditional sensors by utilizing a 3D porous architecture.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a flexible sensor using a 3D MXene/silk fibroin (SF) aerogel via a rapid gas foaming process.
• Characterization of the aerogel's electrical conductivity, elasticity, and porous structure.
• Testing the sensor's response to mechanical, thermal, and acoustic stimuli, including language recognition using machine learning.

Main Results:

• The MXene/SF aerogel sensor demonstrated high sensitivity (103.14 kPa⁻¹), low detection limit (1.96 Pa), and fast response/recovery times (110.92 ms/77.81 ms).
• The sensor exhibited excellent cyclic stability (>10,000 cycles), repeatability, and temperature recognition capabilities.
• Achieved 96.58% accuracy in distinguishing sound signals from different languages, showcasing advanced signal processing potential.

Conclusions:

• The 3D MXene/SF aerogel is a promising material for developing high-performance, multifunctional flexible sensors.
• The developed sensor can monitor multimodal signals and offers potential for applications in human-computer interaction and intelligent systems.
• This work provides a foundation for future advancements in integrated flexible sensor technology.