Recent Advances in Large‐Scale Tactile Sensor Arrays Based on a Transistor Matrix

Abstract

sensors has become a cross-disciplinary field that integrates a wide range of expertise in electronics, physics, materials science, chemistry, and biology. [2] At the same time, significant breakthroughs in flexible electronics, nanotechnology, and manufacturing have enabled the construction of tactile sensors with superior performance based on different transduction methods, including piezoresistivity, [3] capacitance, [4] and piezoelectricity. [5] More specifically, large-scale skin-like tactile sensors that detect pressure, temperature, or other stimuli in the surroundings have attracted increasing attention for applications in human-machine interfaces, [6] intelligent robots, [7] artificial limbs, [8] and other intelligent systems. [9] However, certain challenges remain in large-scale tactile simulation with fast data transmission and low signal crosstalk among the pixels.The tactile sensor arrays based on a transistor matrix (TSATM) have thus been developed for large-scale 2D tactile profiles. [10] The field effect transistor (FET) is one of the most important components in every electronic device, and it has three lead-out electrodes, the source, drain, and gate electrodes. It can control the flow of electrons through a planar channel when the applied gate voltage exceeds a certain threshold. In this way, small changes in the input voltage can excite the transition between high and low output currents. Thus, the FET operates as a control device and amplifier in a logic circuit. [11] A transistor active matrix is necessary to be employed in a largescale tactile sensor, where the addressing mode is similar to the memory structure, with word lines and bit lines. Large-scale tactile mapping can be easily achieved by monitoring the drain/ source current of each pixel. At the same time, the one-way current-passing characteristics of the transistor make it possible to reduce the crosstalk among the pixels. Recently, various types of TSATMs with outstanding performance based on an integrated composite structure or intrinsic pressure sensitive transistor were consecutively demonstrated for a variety of actual applications, as shown in Figure 1.This review focuses on the introduction of advanced TSATMs. The main content includes the following aspects: i) various types of TSATMs with an integrated composite structure that consists of a transistor matrix and a pressuredependent electronic component, and the development of the Tactile sensors that possess the physical properties of human epidermis, which can sense external stimuli (pressure, temperature, humidity, etc.), are a very popular cutting-edge innovation. They make a large contribution to extensive applications in the real-time monitoring of human health, artificial intelligence, robot systems, and biocompatibility. However, great challenges remain in large-scale tactile simulation to attain fast data transmission and low signal crosstalk among the pixels. The tactile sensor arrays based on a transistor matrix (TSATMs) are thus investigated for large-sc...

Motion Detection Using Tactile Sensors Based on Pressure-Sensitive Transistor Arrays

“…The sensor devices have different characteristics that are important for target applications, and can be fabricated using various principles. The forms include piezoelectric [26,27], capacitive [28][29][30], piezoresistive [31,32] and field-effect transistor types, depending on the parameters to be achieved [33][34][35][36]. Here, we present basic information about the tactile sensor array device, which is used extensively as a tool for recognizing gestures, so that readers can gain a better understanding of the fundamental mechanisms involved.…”

“…However, these devices can exhibit some disadvantages, such as a complicated process and low spatial resolution. Therefore, we introduced a transistor array in which the components that make up the transistor are affected by pressure [35]. Unlike the devices introduced above, these devices have gate dielectric materials or channel materials that are sensitive to pressure, and the drain current is modulated by pressure without external pressure-sensitive components.…”

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Skin‐Integrated Graphene‐Embedded Lead Zirconate Titanate Rubber for Energy Harvesting and Mechanical Sensing

“…Thin, soft skin‐integrated electronics have attracted great attentions due to their advantages such as flexible, lightweight, and mechanical compatible with human body, thus offer unique capabilities in detecting vital information and continuous monitoring human health . Recent advances in materials development, electronics miniaturization, mechanics optimization, and system‐level integration build up the foundations for flexible and stretchable electronics which are able to be integrated together with skin. Considering power supply for this new kind of soft electronics, conversion of mechanical energy from human body activities and motions to electricity is a considerable route .…”