Self-powered sensors for flexible electronic skins capable of self-healing under multiple extreme environments

Abstract

With the advancements in electronic skins (E-skins) and communication technologies, the applicability of sensors in extreme environments poses significant challenges. While various sensors have been reported, maintaining electrical output performance without external power source and self-healing capability across multiple extreme environments remains a hurdle. Herein, we present flexible, self-healing, and harsh environment-resistant self-powered sensors for E-skins, the self-healing capabilities of which are virtually invulnerable in diverse extreme environments, including underwater, saline, oxidized, alkali, and acid conditions, as well as low and high temperatures. The self-powered sensors are composed of self-healing polyurea (SH-PUrea) and Ag nanowires (AgNWs). Since physical entanglements that are less susceptible to environmental influences are introduced in SH-PUrea, the self-powered sensors exhibit exceptional self-healing performance without degradation of the output signals, regardless of the ambient conditions or extreme environments encountered. Specifically designed in a 3 × 3 pixel array structure, the self-powered sensors are ideal for E-skins that can adapt to sweaty and underwater environments. The detection of pressure position and underwater communication can be achieved by analyzing the electrical signals from the sensor array. This work introduces a novel strategy for enhancing the extreme environment-resistance and durability of flexible devices.