Hydrogel-Based Sensors for Human-Machine Interaction

Langmuir. 2023 Dec 5;39(48):16975-16985. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c02444. Epub 2023 Nov 23.

Abstract

In the past decades, remarkable progress has been made in the field of human-machine interaction. The need for accurate sensing devices with satisfactory user experiences has propelled the development of flexible, stretchable, biocompatible, and imperceptible hydrogel-based interfaces. These innovative interfaces facilitate direct interactions between humans and machines while receiving detected input signals from sensors and giving output commands to controllers, thus motivating accurate real-time responsiveness. This Perspective discusses the sensing mechanisms for the two categories of hydrogel-based sensors and summarizes the recent progress in the development of different representations of human-machine interactions, including intelligent identification, information secrecy, interactive control, and virtual reality and augmented reality technologies. The advantages of hydrogel-based systems over conventionally used rigid electrical components are explicitly discussed. The conclusion provides a perspective on current challenges and outlines a future roadmap for the realization of state-of-the-art hydrogel-based smart systems.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Hydrogels*
  • Wearable Electronic Devices*

Substances

  • Hydrogels