Bionic Adaptive Thin-Membranes Sensory System Based on Microspring Effect for High-Sensitive Airflow Perception and Noncontact Manipulation

Recently airflow sensors based on mechanical deformation mechanisms have drawn extensive attention due to their favorable flexibility and sensitivity. However, the fabrication of highly sensitive and self-adaptive airflow sensors in a simple, controllable, and scalable method still remains a challenge. Herein, inspired by the wing membrane of a bat, a highly sensitive and adaptive graphene/single-walled nanotubes-Ecoflex membrane (GSEM) based airflow sensor mediated by the reversible microspring effect is developed. The fabricated GSEM is endowed with an ultralow airflow velocity detection limit (0.0176 m s(-1)), a fast response time (approximate to 1.04 s), and recovery time (approximate to 1.28 s). The GSEM-based airflow sensor can be employed to realize noncontact manipulation. It is applied to a smart window system to realize the intelligent, open, and close behaviors via a threshold control. In addition, an array of airflow sensors is effectively designed to differentiate the magnitude and spatial distribution of the applied airflow stimulus. The GSEM-based airflow sensor is further integrated into a wireless vehicle model system, which can sensitively capture the flow velocity information to realize a real-time direction of motion manipulation. The microspring effect-based airflow sensing system shows significant potentials in the fields of wearable electronics and noncontact intelligent manipulation.

Automated summary

Recently, airflow sensors based on mechanical deformation mechanisms have attracted extensive attention for their high flexibility and sensitivity. Inspired by bat wing membrane, a highly sensitive, adaptive graphene/single-walled nanotubes-Ecoflex membrane (GSEM) airflow sensor has been developed, utilizing the reversible microspring effect. The GSEM-based sensor exhibits ultra-low detection limit for airflow velocity, fast response and recovery times, and enables noncontact manipulation. Moreover, it has been integrated into a wireless vehicle model system for real-time motion manipulation, showing great potential in the fields of wearable electronics and noncontact intelligent control.