MXene-Silver Ink-Based 3D Printed Flexible Haptic Figure Tip Sensor—From Macro Sensing to Micro Sensing

Soft sensors have been widely accepted and used in many fields. However, a technological breakthrough is still needed to gain a wider sensing range, faster response speed, and longer durability. In this work, we successfully fabricated an MXene-sliver ink-based interdigitated electrode via direct-ink-writing (DIW) 3D printing technology and assemble it into robotic gloves. Test results have shown the following advantages: (1) ultrafast response time (within several seconds) for surrounding detection at the macro level; (2) extremely accurate detection and object recognition; (3) ultrasensitive detection of omicron virus up to 110^-22molar at the micro level; (4) remarkable extension of the sensing range and targets. The 3D printed interdigitated MXene-sliver electrode could work as a figure tip sensor, as a result of being able to feedback continuously output impedance changes for any approaching objects. When functionalized with single-strand probe DNA, it can also work as a virus sensor and captures the target DNA in the environment by collecting signal changes through electrochemical response. This successful demonstration elucidates the broad prospects of MXene-based soft sensors for soft robotic devices.