Neuromorphic sensorimotor loop embodied by monolithically integrated, low-voltage, soft e-skin.
Weichen WangYuanwen JiangDonglai ZhongZhitao ZhangSnehashis ChoudhuryJian-Cheng LaiHuaxin GongSimiao NiuXuzhou YanYu ZhengChien-Chung ShihRui NingQing LinDeling LiYun-Hi KimJingwan KimYi-Xuan WangChuanzhen ZhaoChengyi XuXiaozhou JiYuya NishioHao LyuJeffrey B-H TokZhenan BaoPublished in: Science (New York, N.Y.) (2023)
Artificial skin that simultaneously mimics sensory feedback and mechanical properties of natural skin holds substantial promise for next-generation robotic and medical devices. However, achieving such a biomimetic system that can seamlessly integrate with the human body remains a challenge. Through rational design and engineering of material properties, device structures, and system architectures, we realized a monolithic soft prosthetic electronic skin (e-skin). It is capable of multimodal perception, neuromorphic pulse-train signal generation, and closed-loop actuation. With a trilayer, high-permittivity elastomeric dielectric, we achieved a low subthreshold swing comparable to that of polycrystalline silicon transistors, a low operation voltage, low power consumption, and medium-scale circuit integration complexity for stretchable organic devices. Our e-skin mimics the biological sensorimotor loop, whereby a solid-state synaptic transistor elicits stronger actuation when a stimulus of increasing pressure is applied.