Architected conductive networks enabling tunable pressure sensitivity in stretchable sensor arrays for intelligent tactile perception

Stretchable sensor arrays are essential for bridging the physical environment with intelligent tactile perception in wearable electronics and soft robotics. However, achieving high sensitivity across a wide dynamic range remains a persistent challenge due to the inherent trade-offs in conductive network stability. Here, we report an architected sensor array featuring tunable sensitivity, enabled by a mixed-dimensional network comprising carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and carbon black (CB). Diverging from single-filler systems characterized by abrupt conductivity transitions, this synergistic design employs CNFs as a structural skeleton and CB particles as interconnected tunneling bridges. Such geometric coupling effectively lowers the percolation threshold and establishes a gradual transition zone, which preserves mechanical compliance while ensuring stable electromechanical transduction. To mitigate crosstalk in large-scale matrices, a hardware-software integrated strategy is implemented, combining multi-channel scanning with an optimized equivalent circuit model. This approach facilitates algorithmic signal decoupling for high-fidelity pressure mapping and precise reconstruction of handwritten trajectories. This work provides a scalable strategy for engineering high-performance soft electronics with enhanced tactile intelligence.

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Publication Details

Journal
Microsystems & Nanoengineering
Published
2026-09-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41378-026-01454-3
Primary Topic
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
Type
article
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Architected conductive networks enabling tunable pressure sensitivity in stretchable sensor arrays for intelligent tactile perception

Qunchen Yuan, Ping Wang, Hao Zhang, Yuhan Bian et al.
Microsystems & Nanoengineering
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
article

Architected conductive networks enabling tunable pressure sensitivity in stretchable sensor arrays for intelligent tactile perception

Qunchen Yuan, Ping Wang, Hao Zhang, Yuhan Bian, Jialong Shou, Xiandi Wang, Ruiyang Chen, Mengxiao Chen, Juntao Zhu, Liujing Zhuang
article en

Abstract

Stretchable sensor arrays are essential for bridging the physical environment with intelligent tactile perception in wearable electronics and soft robotics. However, achieving high sensitivity across a wide dynamic range remains a persistent challenge due to the inherent trade-offs in conductive network stability. Here, we report an architected sensor array featuring tunable sensitivity, enabled by a mixed-dimensional network comprising carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and carbon black (CB). Diverging from single-filler systems characterized by abrupt conductivity transitions, this synergistic design employs CNFs as a structural skeleton and CB particles as interconnected tunneling bridges. Such geometric coupling effectively lowers the percolation threshold and establishes a gradual transition zone, which preserves mechanical compliance while ensuring stable electromechanical transduction. To mitigate crosstalk in large-scale matrices, a hardware-software integrated strategy is implemented, combining multi-channel scanning with an optimized equivalent circuit model. This approach facilitates algorithmic signal decoupling for high-fidelity pressure mapping and precise reconstruction of handwritten trajectories. This work provides a scalable strategy for engineering high-performance soft electronics with enhanced tactile intelligence.

Microsystems & NanoengineeringVol. 12(1)
Ministry of Education (NZ), Hangzhou City University, Zhejiang University (CN)
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Openalex Percentile: Top 22%
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
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Architected conductive networks enabling tunable pressure sensitivity in stretchable sensor arrays for intelligent tactile perception — Qunchen Yuan, Ping Wang, et al. · Microsystems & Nanoengineering (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS