Programmable and Spatial Stiffness Gradient Substrates for Highly Robust Artificial Skins

• DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.4c03584
• Publication Date: 2025-04-23T13:21:43Z
• Authors: Qibin Zhuang; Yiyi Zhang; Lianjie Lu; Xin Liu; Wei Xiao; Zhiwen Chen; Yunhao Yang; Han Wu; Enbo Jia; Zihan Zhao; Zhengmao Ding; Gaofeng Zheng; Yang Zhao; Dezhi Wu

Stretchable artificial skins have garnered great interest for their potential applications in real-time human-machine interaction and equipment operation status monitoring. The local stiffer structure areas on the substrates functional elements been verified to improve robustness of skins, but it remains challenging achieve robust sensing performance under mechanical deformation due large mismatch intricate fabrication process. Herein, we propose an easy strategy fabricating a substrate with spatial programmable stiffness gradients greatly decrease strain interference increase stretching bending. was fabricated by direct writing PDMS laser gelation, where lay place higher stiffness. modulus varied up 10-fold, they also show excellent adhesive properties durability. This configuration gradient effectively inhibits effect bending elements. Prototype flexible sensors light-emitting diodes can be integrated into stretchable exhibit highly during dynamic deformations, demonstrating efficient pathway electronics, especially health surveillance.