Accepted Manuscripts
-
Wearable plasmonic biofluid sensors as your photonic skin
Perspective |Published on: 20 Jan 2023 -
Shape memory behaviors of 3D printed liquid crystal elastomers
Research Article |Published on: 6 Jan 2023
Articles
-
Laser-induced direct graphene patterning: from formation mechanism to flexible applications
Soft Sci 2023;3:4. DOI: 10.20517/ss.2022.26AbstractLaser-induced graphene (LIG), which is directly fabricated by laser carbonization of polymers, has gained much ... MORELaser-induced graphene (LIG), which is directly fabricated by laser carbonization of polymers, has gained much attention in recent years since its first discovery in 2014. Specifically, featuring native porosity, good mechanical properties, and excellent electrical/electrochemical properties, it is considered a promising material for flexible electronic devices. Meantime, LIG can be processed in the atmosphere within a few seconds, thereby significantly reducing the fabrication cost of graphene. Facilitated by these features, this methodology has received great development with worldwide efforts in the following years, including the formation mechanism of LIG, the diversity of laser sources (from infrared laser to ultraviolet laser), the diversity of carbon sources (thermoset polymers, thermoplastic polymers, and natural polymers), and property modulation of LIG (porosity, electrical property, hydrophilic/hydrophobic property, electrochemical property), along with the broad applications of LIG in various flexible electronic devices. Here, the recent advances in the mechanism studies and preparation methods of LIG are comprehensively summarized. The various technologies for the modification of LIG are reviewed. A thorough overview of typical LIG-based flexible electronic devices is presented. Finally, the current challenges and future directions are discussed. LESS Full articleReview Article|Published on: 19 Jan 2023 -
Electro-assisted assembly of conductive polymer and soft hydrogel into core-shell hybrids
Soft Sci 2023;3:3. DOI: 10.20517/ss.2022.25AbstractSoft hydrogels have become an important class of materials for mimicking and interfacing biological soft ... MORESoft hydrogels have become an important class of materials for mimicking and interfacing biological soft tissues with potential applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering and bioelectronics. Creative methods for integrating hydrogels with other materials such as organic conductors are highly desired. Here, we describe the single-step electrosynthesis of PEDOT/alginate into core-shell hybrid structures via an electrochemical-chemical-chemical mechanism. Using a pulsed electropolymerisation protocol, we generated PEDOT in either oxidized or reduced form. By-products of this electrochemical step trigger the chemical reactions for the concomitant assembly of alginate hydrogels. Characterization evidences that PEDOT (core) and alginate (shell) compartments form an electrochemically integrated interface. During growth, both can be loaded with useful cargo. We loaded a negatively charged small molecule and investigated passive and electroactive release mechanisms from the two compartments. Our electro-assisted assembly/crosslinking of integrated PEDOT/alginate hybrids contributes a promising approach to the design of functional interfaces for applications in controlled release and soft electronics. LESS Full articleResearch Article|Published on: 17 Jan 2023 -
Applications of flexible polyimide: barrier material, sensor material, and functional material
Soft Sci 2023;3:2. DOI: 10.20517/ss.2022.24AbstractPolyimide (PI), as an advanced polymer material, possesses the intrinsic merits of excellent resistance to ... MOREPolyimide (PI), as an advanced polymer material, possesses the intrinsic merits of excellent resistance to extreme temperatures, good dielectric properties, flame resistance, strong processibility, biocompatibility, and flexibility. The outstanding performances of flexible PI have led to a wide range of applications in aerospace, medical, intelligent electronic devices, energy storage devices, and more. Notably, due to the swift progress of various flexible and soft devices, flexible PI has become ubiquitous in the form of thin films, fibers, and foam and gradually plays an indispensable role in all sorts of those devices. This review mainly focuses on the current advances in the usage of flexible PI for barrier, sensor, and functional purposes. Firstly, the key features of various methods for synthesizing and processing PI, as well as the relationship with their respective applications, are summarized. Secondly, to give readers a comprehensive view of the various applications of flexible PI materials, the applications are broken down into three categories: flexible barrier applications, flexible sensing applications, and flexible function applications, and the current research of each application is introduced in detail. Finally, a summary of the challenges and possible solutions in some flexible applications is present. LESS Full articleReview Article|Published on: 11 Jan 2023 -
Energy harvesting through thermoelectrics: topological designs and materials jetting technology
Soft Sci 2023;3:1. DOI: 10.20517/ss.2022.29AbstractThe vast amount of waste heat released into the environment, from body heat to factories ... MOREThe vast amount of waste heat released into the environment, from body heat to factories and boilers, can be exploited for electricity generation. Thermoelectrics is a sustainable clean energy solution that converts a heat flux directly into electrical power and vice versa and therefore has the potential for both energy harvesting and cooling technologies. However, the usage of thermoelectrics for large-scale applications is restrained by its device topologies and energy conversion cost efficiency trade-offs. The increase in complex topological designs reported in literature shows a shift towards customizability and improvement of thermoelectric devices for maximum energy conversion efficiency. Increasing design complexity will require an innovative, cost-effective fabrication method with design freedom capabilities. In light of this, this review paper seeks to summarize various thermoelectric topological designs as well as how 3D Printing technology can be a solution to the fabrication of cost- and performance-efficient thermoelectric devices. Specifically, as a process category of 3D Printing technology, Materials Jetting will be elaborated for its usefulness in the fabrication of thermoelectric devices. With in-depth research in materials jetting of thermoelectrics, the gap between small-scale materials research and scaled-up industry applications for energy harvesting through thermoelectric devices is expected to be bridged. LESS Full articleReview Article|Published on: 10 Jan 2023 -
Recent progress in flexible piezoelectric devices toward human-machine interactions
Soft Sci 2022;2:22. DOI: 10.20517/ss.2022.23AbstractHuman-machine interactions are becoming increasingly required for intelligent sensing and effective manipulation. Recent developments in ... MOREHuman-machine interactions are becoming increasingly required for intelligent sensing and effective manipulation. Recent developments in flexible piezoelectric sensors with short response time and high force-electric interconversion efficiency present a tendency toward facilitating diverse human-machine interactive applications. Here, we review the development of flexible piezoelectric human-machine interactions in the context of robotic control, the Internet of Things, sports coaching and acoustic therapeutics. The synthesis of unique materials, the distinct design of device structures, the typical applications of piezoelectric human-machine interactions and the integration of cutting-edge technologies are elaborated in detail based on recent research. Finally, we highlight the current challenges and directions for the development of piezoelectric human-machine interactions for more advanced application scenarios. LESS Full articleReview Article|Published on: 19 Dec 2022 -
Mechanically flexible and flame-retardant cellulose nanofibril-based films integrated with MXene and chitosan
Soft Sci 2022;2:21. DOI: 10.20517/ss.2022.20AbstractRemarkable flame-retardant and integrated mechanical properties are essential requirements for the potential applications of bio-based ... MORERemarkable flame-retardant and integrated mechanical properties are essential requirements for the potential applications of bio-based films in industrial areas. Unfortunately, the design and fabrication of such film materials that possess a good trade-off between mechanical properties and flame-retardant performance remain significant challenges. Here, phosphorylated cellulose nanofibril-based films (PCNFs) integrated with chitosan (CS) and MXene (PCNF/CS-M) are fabricated via a facile water evaporation-induced self-assembly method. An evident reinforcement of the mechanical performance can be achieved by constructing additional interactions (i.e., hydrogen bonding and nanoreinforcement) among the hybrid network, which endows the optimized films with highly improved and balanced mechanical performance (i.e., tensile strength of 172.1 MPa, tensile strain of 8.0%, Young’s modulus of 4.4 GPa and toughness of 8.5 MJ/m-3). Furthermore, the resultant films also exhibit outstanding flame resistance, as clearly illustrated by their structural integrity after cyclic testing using a butane lamp flame at 700-800 °C. The synergistic reinforcing and flame-retardant mechanisms of the films are clarified based on structural evolution and performance variation. The strategy developed herein provides an innovative concept for designing and developing advanced bio-based film materials for fireproof coatings. LESS Full articleResearch Article|Published on: 6 Dec 2022
Most Downloaded Articles Published In
-
Recent progress in flexible tactile sensor systems: from design to application
Soft Sci 2021;1:3. DOI: 10.20517/ss.2021.02AbstractWith the rapid development of artificial intelligence, human-machine interaction, and healthcare systems, flexible tactile sensors ... MOREWith the rapid development of artificial intelligence, human-machine interaction, and healthcare systems, flexible tactile sensors have huge market potentials and research needs, so that both fundamental research and application demonstrations are evolving rapidly to push the potential to reality. In this review, we briefly summarize the recent progress of the flexible tactile sensor system, including the common sensing mechanisms, the important performance evaluation parameters, the device design trend, and the main applications. Moreover, the current device design trend towards flexible tactile sensor systems is discussed, including novel structures for outstanding performance, sensor arrays for large-area information acquisition, multi-mode information acquisition, and integration of tactile sensors with transistors. Various emerging applications enabled with these sensors are also exemplified in this review to show the potentials of the tactile sensors. Finally, we also discuss the technical demands and the future perspectives of flexible tactile sensor systems. LESS Full articleReview Article|Published on: 9 Jul 2021 -
Sodium nanofluid for efficient oil recovery in heavy oil and oil sand reservoirs
Soft Sci 2021;1:8. DOI: 10.20517/ss.2021.08AbstractNanomaterials exhibit unique chemical and physical properties in comparison with their bulk-phase counterparts, attracting significant ... MORENanomaterials exhibit unique chemical and physical properties in comparison with their bulk-phase counterparts, attracting significant attention from the oil and gas industry in the hope of solving challenging issues. Current heavy oil extraction methods are costly and have unsatisfactory efficiency, and facing environmental restrictions increasingly. Our recent introduction of sodium (Na) nanofluid provides a promising method for heavy oil extraction since it shows improved oil recovery without burning carbon-containing fuels. Here, we conducted core-flooding tests to further evaluate the effect of this Na nanofluid on recovering oil from different formations, which had not been previously demonstrated, as well as to deepen our understanding of the underlying mechanisms. The Na nanofluid exhibited excellent oil-extraction efficiency for both types of heavy oil tested. The recovery mechanisms were found to be complicated. We also found that post-injection soaking and using the proper solvent to disperse the sodium nanoparticles are important for further boosting oil recovery. LESS Full articleResearch Article|Published on: 8 Sep 2021 -
Uncovering isolated resonant responses in antagonistic pure-shear dielectric elastomer actuators
Soft Sci 2021;1:1. DOI: 10.20517/ss.2021.01AbstractThe dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) is one type of emerging soft actuator that has the ... MOREThe dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) is one type of emerging soft actuator that has the attractive features of large actuation strains, high energy density, and inherent compliance, which is desirable for novel bio-inspired and soft robotic applications. Due to their inherent elasticity, when stimulated by an alternating current voltage with a frequency matching the natural frequency of the DEA system, the DEAs can exhibit resonant responses which maximize the oscillation amplitude. Silicone elastomers are widely utilized for resonant actuation applications for their reduced viscous damping hence better dynamic performance compared to VHB elastomers. However, the low pre-stretch ratios adopted by silicone elastomers could induce loss-of-tension of the mem-branes in high amplitude oscillations, yet its effects on the dynamic responses of a DEA are not fully understood. By using a numerical dynamic model, this work studies the effects of the loss-of-tension on the frequency response of the antagonistic pure-shear DEAs. A subharmonic frequency response curve isolated from the main response branch is uncovered for the first time in a parametrically forced DEA system, which causes a sudden jump in the oscillation amplitude and serves as a severe threat to the dynamic stability and controllability of the DEA system. By using a global analysis method, the evolution of the isolated response curve against the excitation components and system physical parameters is also investigated numerically. LESS Full articleResearch Article|Published on: 21 May 2021 -
Tattoo-like epidermal electronics as skin sensors for human-machine interfaces
Soft Sci 2021;1:10. DOI: 10.20517/ss.2021.09AbstractFlexible electronic skin (e-skin) has been successfully utilized in diverse applications, including prosthesis sensing, body-motion ... MOREFlexible electronic skin (e-skin) has been successfully utilized in diverse applications, including prosthesis sensing, body-motion monitoring and human-machine interfaces, due to its excellent mechanical properties and electrical characteristics. However, current e-skins are still relatively thick (> 10 µm) and uncomfortable for long-term usage on the human body. Herein, an ultrathin skin-integrated strain sensor with miniaturized dimensions, based on the piezoresistive effect, with excellent stability and robustness, is introduced. The fractal curve-shaped Au electrode in a serpentine format, which is the dominant component of the strain sensor, is sensitive to ambient strain variations and can turn the mechanical motion into a stable electrical signal output. With the advanced design of metallic electrodes, the device presents good operational stability and excellent mechanical tolerance towards bending, stretching and twisting. The stain sensor allows intimate mounting onto the human epidermal surface for the detection of body motion. By adopting a liquid bandage as an encapsulation layer, the device exhibits an ultrathin thickness (6.2 µm), high sensitivity towards mechanical deformations and capability for the clear detection of motion, such as walking, finger bending and the human pulse rate with identifiable electrical signals. Furthermore, the tattoo-like strain sensor is applied in robotic control by tracing finger bending motion and results in the smooth control of a robotic hand nearly without any detention. This e-skin design exhibits excellent potential for wearable electronics and human-machine interfaces. LESS Full articleResearch Article|Published on: 13 Oct 2021 -
Improved thermoelectric performance in n-type flexible Bi2Se3+x/PVDF composite films
Soft Sci 2021;1:2. DOI: 10.20517/ss.2021.04AbstractBismuth selenide materials (Bi2Se3) have high performance around room temperature, demonstrating potential in thermoelectric applications. ... MOREBismuth selenide materials (Bi2Se3) have high performance around room temperature, demonstrating potential in thermoelectric applications. Presently, most vacuum preparation techniques used to fabricate the film materials, such as magnetron sputtering and molecular beam epitaxy, usually require complex and expensive equipment. This limits the practical applications of flexible thermoelectric films. Here, we prepared Bi2Se3+x nanoplate/polyvinylidene fluoride composite films with good flexibility using a facile chemical reaction method. Their thermoelectric performance and microstructures were systematically studied. The composite films exhibit a highly preferred orientation along (015). The carrier concentration and mobility were optimized by adding excessive element Se, eventually leading to an improvement in thermoelectric performance. The optimized power factor is 5.2 μW/K2m at 300 K. Furthermore, the performance remains stable after 2500 bending cycles at a radius of 1 cm, suggesting promising applications in wearable/portable electronics. LESS Full articleResearch Article|Published on: 1 Jul 2021
-
Wearable electronics for skin wound monitoring and healing
Review Article|Published on: 30 Jun 2022 -
PEDOT:PSS-based intrinsically soft and stretchable bioelectronics
Perspective|Published on: 14 Jun 2022 -
A brief review of mechanical designs for additive manufactured soft materials
Review Article|Published on: 14 Feb 2022 -
Biomedical DNA hydrogels
Perspective|Published on: 25 Feb 2022 -
A brief review of miniature flexible and soft tactile sensors for interventional catheter applications
Review Article|Published on: 1 Jun 2022
See more
About The Journal
-
ISSN
2769-5441 (Online)
Publisher
OAE Publishing Inc.
Article Processing Charges
$600
-
Editor-in-Chief
Zhifeng Ren
Publishing Model
Gold Open Access
Copyright
Copyright is retained by author(s)
-
Publication Frequency
Quarterly
Indexing
Open Archives
-
Portico
All published articles will be preserved here permanently:
https://www.portico.org/