A Flexible Electronics Platform Combining CNT Pressure Sensors and Flexible Tactors Creates a Synchronized Event-Cue Feedback Loop

Wearable devices designed for the somatosensory system aim to provide event-cue feedback electronics and therapeutic stimulation to the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system generates a neurological response that is relayed back to the central nervous system. Unlike virtual reality tools, these devices precisely target peripheral mechanoreceptors by administering specific stimuli. Given variations in mechanoreceptor density and type across different body locations, custom flexible electronics are essential for effective targeting. Here, a novel approach is employed to develop a sensing-actuation platform using advanced manufacturing techniques. This platform seamlessly integrates soft carbon nanotube (CNT)-elastomer sensors with custom flexible tactile actuators, enabling the creation of wearable electronics capable of delivering accurate and responsive feedback to. By optimizing the cantilevers of the actuators, these sensors can achieve a broad spectrum of driving frequencies. These sensing and actuating devices are fabricated onto flexible substrates through 3D printing and are attached to wearable AC generators and Bluetooth chips. Three functional event-cue feedback devices—a prosthetic, sole, and glove—are presented, demonstrating their capability to utilize CNT sensors for detecting pressure variations from weight, gait, and grip. In response to these mechanical bodily functions, devices simultaneously transmit signals to flexible tactors, eliciting programmable vibrotactile cues on healthy skin areas. The prosthetic responds to a change in pressure on the socket incident from an unsafe posture and induces actuation in the healthy innervated quadriceps. The flexible sole connects plantar sensors that monitor pressure from gait and induces vibration on the dorsum of the foot. Finally, the glove houses five pressure sensors that, upon compression, send a signal to a second glove to induce vibration. The deployment of these innovative devices holds promise for stimulating peripheral nerves, augmenting prosthetic functionality, and enhancing grip control and tactile sensation in individuals with limited nervous system function. This comprehensive investigation not only propels the advancement of wearable technology but also holds promise for diverse fields such as prosthetics, mobility aids, and assistive technology. By bridging the gap between human physiology and technological innovation, this platform can serve as a catalyst for future developments in the field of wearable devices, driving progress towards more seamless and integrated human-machine interfaces.