A three-dimensionally architected electronic skin mimicking human mechanosensation
【Abstract】
Human skin sensing of mechanical stimuli originates from transduction of mechanoreceptors that converts external forces into electrical signals that propagate to the central nervous system. While imitating the spatial distribution of those mechanoreceptors can enable developments of electronic skins capable of decoupled sensing of normal/shear forces and strains, it remains elusive. In this talk, I will introduce a three-dimensionally architected electronic skin (denoted as ‘3DAE-Skin’) with force and strain sensing components arranged in a 3D layout that mimics that of Merkel cells and Ruffini endings in human skin. The 3D configuration of force and strain sensors and a heterogeneous encapsulation strategy enable the differentiation of normal or shear forces and induced strain. Integration of the 3DAE-Skin with data acquisition/processing modules aided by deep learning algorithms allows development of a tactile system capable of normal/shear force sensing with spatial resolution comparable to human skin, as well as simultaneous modulus and curvature measurements through a simple touch of an object. Demonstrations include rapid modulus measurements of fruits, bread and cake with various shapes and degrees of freshness.
Yihui Zhang is a Professor of Engineering Mechanics at Tsinghua University. His current research interests include mechanically guided 3D assembly, microrobots, and mechanics of flexible structures. He has published > 180 peer-reviewed papers in journals including Science, Nature, JMPS (the best solid-mechanics journal), and etc, as of May 2024. He is an inventor on 9 China patents and 3 US patents. Dr. Zhang is the recipient of several honors and awards, including, Society of Engineering Science’s James R. Rice Medal (2024), CSTAM Science and Technology Award for Young Investigators (2023), NSFC National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (2022), ASME Gustus L. Larson Memorial Award (2022), The Xplorer Prize (2021), ASME Thomas J.R. Hughes Young Investigator Award (2019), Society of Engineering Science’s Young Investigator Medal (2018), ASME Sia Nemat-Nasser Early Career Award (2018), Eshelby Mechanics Award for Young Faculty (2017), ASME Melville Medal (2017), Qiu Shi Outstanding Young Scholar Award (2016), and MIT Technology Reviews 35 Innovators Under 35 (Global) (2016). He is a Deputy Editor of Science Advances, an editor of Mechanics of Materials, an associate editor of International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials, and a past associate editor of Science Advances, ASME Journal of Applied Mechanics and Research.
張一慧,清華大學工程力學系長聘教授。長期從事力學驅動的三維微納結構組裝、微型機器人、柔性結構力學等方面的研究。截至2024年5月,在Science、Nature、JMPS(固體力學領域頂刊)等高水平期刊發表學術論文180余篇;獲得授權的中國發明專利9項、美國發明專利3項。曾獲美國工程科學學會James R. Rice獎章(2024)、中國力學學會青年科技獎(2023)、國家杰出青年科學基金(2022)、美國機械工程師學會Gustus L. Larson Memorial Award(2022)、科學探索獎(2021)、美國機械工程師學會Thomas J.R. Hughes青年學者獎(2019)、美國機械工程師學會Sia Nemat-Nasser早期職業生涯獎(2018)、美國工程科學學會青年學者獎章(2018)、Eshelby青年力學教授獎(2017)、美國機械工程師學會Melville Medal(2017)、香港求是杰出青年學者獎(2016)、麻省理工學院技術評論“全球35位35歲以下創新者”(2016)等榮譽。目前擔任學術期刊《Science Advances》的Deputy Editor,《Mechanics of Materials》的Editor,《International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials》的Associate Editor。曾任《Science Advances》、《ASME-Journal of Applied Mechanics》和《Research》的Associate Editor。