A Biomimetic, Breathable Wearable Sensor for Multi-Scale Motion Monitoring and Robotic Control

Inspired by nacre’s brick-and-mortar architecture, we developed a high-performance, breathable strain sensor to overcome the trade-off between sensitivity, stability, and comfort in wearable sensing. A robust conductive network was constructed on silk fabric via layer-by-layer assembly of MXene nanosheets and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). This design utilizes PVA as a hydrogen-bonding “mortar” that enhances interfacial adhesion, dissipates stress, and helps retard MXene oxidation and environmental degradation. The sensor achieves an ultrahigh gauge factor (GF) of 174.42 at low strain for detecting subtle pulses and maintains a stable GF of 39.57 at strains >18% for monitoring large joint motions, alongside a fast response (<80 ms) and durability over 2000 cycles. Practical demonstrations include full-range human activity monitoring and a wireless smart glove that enables real-time robotic hand control, highlighting its potential for advanced human–machine interaction and immersive virtual environments.