(571a) Transparent Iontronic Sensing

Over the past decade, a brand-new pressure and tactile sensing modality, known as the iontronic sensing has emerged, utilizing the supercapacitive nature of electrical double layer (EDL) occurred at the electrolytic-electronic interface, leading to its ultrahigh device sensitivity, high noise immunity, high resolution, high spatial definition, optical transparency, and responses to both static and dynamic stimuli, in addition to the thin and flexible device architecture. Together, it offers unique combination of enabling features to tackle grand challenges in pressure and tactile sensing applications, in particular, with recent interest and rapid progress in the development of robotic intelligence, electronic skin, wearable health as well as internet of things, from both academic and industrial communities. Remarkably, the iontronic sensing technology demonstrated at least 1,000-fold increase in the device sensitivities, leading to removal of the long-standing industrial issue of parasitic noises, while providing high structural flexibility, in addition to its optical transparency. In this talk, we will emphasize on its material aspects with the special interest in its optical transparency and bio-integrability. With the unprecedented sensitivity and flexibility, it has further enabled new possibilities to address pressing medical and robotic challenges broadly, including non-invasive and continuous monitoring of hemodynamics, screening of endoscopic motility and functionality, as well as empowering artificial tactile sensation.