Developing flexible tactile sensors that combine environmental friendliness, unique aesthetic tactile qualities, and high performance is crucial for advancing sustainable human-computer interaction technologies. This paper presents a new strategy for fabricating flexible tactile sensors based on natural wood. The method begins with the delignification and hemicellulose removal of natural wood to obtain a flexible, transparent wood template that retains its micro-porous structure. Subsequently, polypyrrole is uniformly loaded inside the template via in-situ polymerization, and patterning is achieved using conductive silver paste to create a sandwich-structured sensor. This sensor not only preserves the tactile and mechanical flexibility of the wood but also enables high-precision pressure sensing, providing a reliable solution for flexible tactile interactive interfaces. The performance evaluation results indicate that the wood-based flexible sensor can stably perform preliminary data processing through its intrinsic nonlinear dynamic response under different pressures ranging from 2 kPa to 10 kPa. Furthermore, this study highlights its potential applications in interactive interfaces and wearable devices. The proposed scalable and efficient wood functionalization strategy offers a flexible, high-performance, and environmentally friendly tactile sensing solution. It also paves the way for the design of interactive systems that balance material sustainability, aesthetic value, and tactile functionality.
为研究聚吡咯在脱木质素木材多孔骨架中的分布情况,通过扫描电子显微镜(scanning electron microscope,SEM)观察脱木质素透明木膜与聚吡咯木膜的表面形貌。脱木质素透明木膜表现为致密且均匀的表面结构,无明显孔隙,表面光滑。结果表明,木材基底在脱木质素处理后保持了骨架的稳定性,见图3。
为保证试验的公平性与通用性,试验中将所提出的电阻电压-压力值非线性拟合函数与线性回归方法得到的拟合函数编写入单片机(Arduino Uno R3)中。根据已获取的拟合函数关系,传感器将把实际压力作用导致的电阻电压值直接转换为输出压力值,因此比较传感器输出压力值与实际压力值可以评判拟合函数的准确性。验证试验选取2、4、6、8、10 kPa的压力进行测试,测试数据见表1。
当前应用实例仍局限于通过铜箔胶带实现的有线传感方式,未能与微型电路板近场通信技术(near field communication,NFC)相结合。为进一步提升木基柔性传感器的性能与应用范围,未来将探索引入不同功能材料的可编程形变能力,以增强其柔性特征,并结合微型电路板或NFC技术拓展无线传感能力。此外,将开发原型模块库和交互式设计工具,供用户根据需求自由组合并快速预览设计结果,以更好地适应多样化的应用场景。进一步的研究将专注于疏水改性方法的传感器制备工艺,以提升其在不同湿度环境下的适用性,从而推动木基柔性传感器在医疗监测、人机交互及可穿戴设备等领域的应用。
HUX G.Research on transfer printing methods and applications of ultrathin flexible electronics based on water-soluble sacrificial layer and foam stamp[D].Dalian:Dalian University of Technology,2024.
ZHENGY Q.Flexible sensor design strategies based on MXene composite materials and their application in human health monitoring[D].Changchun:Jilin University,2024.
CHENL Y, TIANJ F.Application of screen printing technology in paper-based sensors[J].Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry,2024,52(7):901-909.
[17]
MUHAMMADH B, ODDOC M, BECCAIL,et al.Development of a bioinspired MEMS based capacitive tactile sensor for a robotic finger[J].Sensors and Actuators A:Physical,2011,165(2):221-229.
WUM Y, YUX J, GONGR Z,et al.State of the art in preparation and application of hemicellulose-based hydrogels[J].Journal of Forestry Engineering,2025,10(2):1-12.
YANGH.Research progress of 3D printing technology and analysis of its application status in home furnishing field[J].Journal of Forestry Engineering,2025,10(1):12-21.
ZHANGC, ZHENGH X, SUNJ,et al.3D printed,solid-state conductive ionoelastomer as a generic building block for tactile applications[J].Advanced Materials,2022,34(2):2105996.
[29]
TANGJ F, WUL P, FANX Q,et al.Superstrong,sustainable,origami wood paper enabled by dual-phase nanostructure regulation in cell walls[J].Science Advances,2024,10(30),eado5142.
WUJ H, LIUG D, SHIJ Y,et al.Preparation and properties of PEDOT:PSS flexible electrode and its luminescent electrochemical cell[J].Fine chemicals,2025,42(10):2150-2157.
[32]
WEIH, LIA, KONGD,et al.Polypyrrole/reduced graphene aerogel film for wearable piezoresisitic sensors with high sensing performances[J].Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials,2021,4:86-95.