Multiscale-structured miniaturized 3D force sensors

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Robotics
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Flexible tactile sensors are crucial for neuroprosthetics, human-machine interaction, and robotics.
• Current sensors struggle to differentiate normal and tangential forces, limiting haptic feedback fidelity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a highly sensitive triaxial force microsensor array capable of decoupling normal and tangential forces.
• To mimic the high-resolution multidimensional haptics of human fingers.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a microsensor array using graphene-liquid-metal composites.
• Utilizing anisotropic particle networks in microporous composites with pyramid geometries for multiscale structuring.
• Achieving normal-tangential force decoupling through advanced structural design.

Main Results:

• Exceptional sensitivity of 110 kPa⁻¹ over a 500 kPa linear range (R² > 0.998).
• Precise force direction measurement with <2° deviation.
• Demonstrated force decoupling and slip detection for object grasping.

Conclusions:

• The novel microsensor array significantly advances 3D force sensing capabilities.
• Improvements in size and detection limit by an order of magnitude over existing technologies.
• Enables enhanced robotic dexterity and micromanipulation applications.