Novel Iontronic Pressure Sensor Coupling High Sensitivity and Wide‐Range for Stiffness Identification and Long‐Distance Precise Motion Control

Abstract

High‐performance flexible pressure sensors have garnered widespread applications across numerous vital fields, encompassing flexible robotics, artificial intelligence, and brain‐computer interfaces. However, the small compressibility range of flexible materials and the easy saturation characteristics of microstructures greatly limit their practical applications. Therefore, achieving high sensitivity over an extensive pressure range remains a challenge. Here, inspired by the skin, a raised structure with graded features is designed as the sensitive layer. A flexible pressure sensor with high performance is manufactured by combining iontronic interfaces. The results indicate that this sensor can stably maintain a high sensitivity of 161.26 kPa−1 even at a pressure of 320 kPa. Moreover, this sensor also has a fast response time and recovery time of 26 and 85 ms, respectively. As a demonstration, these sensors are applied to materials stiffness recognition, human motion monitoring, and control of long‐distance four‐wheel vehicles. This work will offer valuable insights and serve as a useful reference for achieving high sensitivity and a broadened sensing range in sensors.