Functional Mimicry of Neural Sensory Systems Using Nanoporous Graphene-Based Ionic Biomimetic Tactile Devices

Abstract

Tactile perception is essential for human interaction with the external world and holds significant potential in robotics, wearable devices, prosthetics, and healthcare. Conventional biomimetic tactile devices, which rely on electronic motion to generate electrical signals, deviate from the ionic transport mechanisms of biological systems, limiting their compatibility with biological tissues. This work proposed a biomimetic tactile device based on ionic transport mechanisms, leveraging electrokinetic energy conversion (EKEC) technology to generate electrical signals under pressure via an ion-selective membrane. The device was fabricated by modifying nanoporous graphene suspended on a porous polycarbonate track-etched polymer, followed by encapsulation in an ionic solution. Experimental results validated the device’s ionic transport properties and its capacity for electrokinetic energy conversion. Theoretical simulations revealed that the electrical signal stemmed from selective ion transport under applied pressure. Additionally, the device demonstrated the capability to characterize biomechanical parameters, such as pulse, sound, and motion, and exhibited learning and forgetting functionalities when integrated with a hydrogel. This work offers novel insights into the biomimicry of neural sensory systems and highlights potential applications in artificial intelligence, human-machine interaction, and healthcare.