Ion-electron synergy-enhanced flexible highly sensitive wireless sensing system with wide strain range

Flexible strain sensors require a wide strain range and high sensitivity for applications from human joint monitoring to robotic motion detection. Conventional wired systems limit motion, especially in underwater and wearable scenarios. Here, we present an ion-electron synergy-enhanced flexible highly sensitive wireless sensing system (IESS) with wide strain range, in which ionic and electronic conduction synergistically amplify strain-induced resistance changes. By combining multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), ionic liquid, and a gold layer, a three-dimensional porous conductive network forms. Applied strain induces microcracks that interrupt electron pathways while reconfiguring ionic transport channels, enabling high sensitivity over a wide strain range (gauge factor, GF = 1.985 × 10⁴, 100%). The system integrates sensing, power, and wireless communication in a compact platform for multimodal applications. With machine learning, it achieves 93.3% accuracy in phonation recognition and distinguishes diving, ascending, and forward swimming of bionic shark robots, as well as monitors buoy strain underwater. These results demonstrate the advantage of ion-electron synergy in enhancing sensing performance and highlight the system's versatility for bioinspired robotics and wearable health monitoring.