Bioinspired Omnidirectional Iontronic Sensors Based on Triboelectric Charge

Flexible pressure sensors are critical components in next-generation wearable electronics and intelligent human-machine interface (HMI). However, conventional designs often suffer from limited sensitivity and uniaxial force detection, restricting their applicability in complex environments. Here, a bioinspired omnidirectional iontronic sensor (BOIS) is presented, engineered via triboelectric coupling and featuring a cross-scale architecture inspired by the spatial encoding properties of cochlear cilia. Through the integration of a 70° inclined macroscopic ciliary array based on Fibonacci helix optimization and 3D printing technology, the sensor achieves high-resolution detection of both normal and shear forces. The incorporation of iontronic effects further enhances sensitivity via synergistic charge modulation. The resulting flexible sensing platform demonstrates excellent mechanical compliance, multi-axis responsiveness, and high precision in monitoring dynamic joint motions such as wrist bending and finger flexion. This work offers a robust strategy for advancing omnidirectional tactile sensing, with promising applications in medical rehabilitation, soft robotics, and HMI.

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Publication Details

Journal
Small
Published
2026-01-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202510157
Primary Topic
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Bioinspired Omnidirectional Iontronic Sensors Based on Triboelectric Charge

Yi Du, Yaowen Ouyang, Zunkang Zhou, Di Wei et al.
Small
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
article

Bioinspired Omnidirectional Iontronic Sensors Based on Triboelectric Charge

Yi Du, Yaowen Ouyang, Zunkang Zhou, Di Wei, Yuyang Zhang, Jie Fu
article en

Abstract

Flexible pressure sensors are critical components in next-generation wearable electronics and intelligent human-machine interface (HMI). However, conventional designs often suffer from limited sensitivity and uniaxial force detection, restricting their applicability in complex environments. Here, a bioinspired omnidirectional iontronic sensor (BOIS) is presented, engineered via triboelectric coupling and featuring a cross-scale architecture inspired by the spatial encoding properties of cochlear cilia. Through the integration of a 70° inclined macroscopic ciliary array based on Fibonacci helix optimization and 3D printing technology, the sensor achieves high-resolution detection of both normal and shear forces. The incorporation of iontronic effects further enhances sensitivity via synergistic charge modulation. The resulting flexible sensing platform demonstrates excellent mechanical compliance, multi-axis responsiveness, and high precision in monitoring dynamic joint motions such as wrist bending and finger flexion. This work offers a robust strategy for advancing omnidirectional tactile sensing, with promising applications in medical rehabilitation, soft robotics, and HMI.

SmallVol. 22(8)
Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), University of Cambridge (GB), University of Manchester (GB), Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems (CN), Zhejiang Medicine (China) (CN), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Openalex Percentile: Top 83%
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
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