A Flexible Artificial Sensory Nerve Enabled by Nanoparticle‐Assembled Synaptic Devices for Neuromorphic Tactile Recognition

Abstract Tactile perception enabled by somatosensory system in human is essential for dexterous tool usage, communication, and interaction. Imparting tactile recognition functions to advanced robots and interactive systems can potentially improve their cognition and intelligence. Here, a flexible ar...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Chengpeng Jiang, Jiaqi Liu, Lu Yang, Jiangdong Gong, Huanhuan Wei, Wentao Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2022-08-01
Series:Advanced Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202106124
Description
Summary:Abstract Tactile perception enabled by somatosensory system in human is essential for dexterous tool usage, communication, and interaction. Imparting tactile recognition functions to advanced robots and interactive systems can potentially improve their cognition and intelligence. Here, a flexible artificial sensory nerve that mimics the tactile sensing, neural coding, and synaptic processing functions in human sensory nerve is developed to achieve neuromorphic tactile recognition at device level without relying on algorithms or computing resources. An interfacial self‐assembly technique, which produces uniform and defect‐less thin film of semiconductor nanoparticles on arbitrary substrates, is employed to prepare the flexible synaptic device. The neural facilitation and sensory memory characteristics of the proton‐gating synaptic device enable this system to identify material hardness during robotic grasping and recognize tapping patterns during tactile interaction in a continuous, real‐time, high‐accuracy manner, demonstrating neuromorphic intelligence and recognition capabilities. This artificial sensory nerve produced in wearable and portable form can be readily integrated with advanced robots and smart human–machine interfaces for implementing human‐like tactile cognition in neuromorphic electronics toward robotic and wearable applications.
ISSN:2198-3844