Flexible Bimodal Sensor for Simultaneous and Independent Perceiving of Pressure and Temperature Stimuli

Abstract Simultaneous bimodal perceiving of pressure and temperature stimuli is widely desired for artificial intelligence electronics, such as electronic skin and health monitoring. In multiparametric sensing, it is a challenge to detect different stimuli independently and expediently without cross coupling. Here, this study reports a pressure–temperature bimodal tactile sensor composed of two sinuous thermosensitive platinum (Pt) ribbons fabricated on a flexible polyimide substrate, which is covered by a porous elastomer membrane to provide a handy solution for multimodal detection. By operating two Pt ribbons in a constant temperature difference feedback circuit, the sensor implements simultaneous and independent detections of pressure and temperature stimuli automatically and efficiently. High sensitivity, lower detection limit, high resolution, good stability, and low hysteresis are achieved for dual parametric sensing. The sensor shows competence in health monitoring for bimodal perceiving of wrist pulse and artery temperature simultaneously and independently. The smart sensing design and self‐sustained circuit simplify the bimodal sensor, and thus provide a fast and expedient approach for multimodal sensation applications.