journal article·2026-03-10Open access

Skin‐Like Tri‐Modal Sensors Based on Soft Piezoelectric and Ionic Composites

Liren Wang, Peter Zalar, Vishva Bhate, Takeo Furukawa, Hidekazu Kodama, Yijun Liu, Yuanyuan Zhou, Chuang Hou, Siyuan Liu, Naoji Matsuhisa

Abstract

ABSTRACT Human skin perceives complex external stimuli through the coordinated detection of temperature, static strain, and dynamic strain. However, current skin‐like multimodal sensors are typically limited to dual‐mode sensing or suffer from signal interference and excessive wirings. In this study, a soft, skin‐like tri‐modal sensor capable of independent and simultaneous detection of temperature, static strain, and dynamic strain is reported. The sensor consists of a single, skin‐inspired sensing layer of a soft, piezoelectric and ionic composite film that is sandwiched between stretchable electrodes. It uses distinct frequency‐domain responses: charge relaxation time for temperature, normalized capacitance for static strain, and piezoelectric charge output for dynamic strain—to fully decouple signals without the need for separate sensors. Practical demonstrations include simultaneous detection of skin temperature and pulse waves at the wrist, localized mapping of strain and temperature under shear stress, and texture recognition through dynamic force sensing. This work provides a compact and scalable platform for fully decoupled tri‐modal sensing, paving the way for intelligent prosthetics, on‐skin electronics, and interactive robotics.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials · Dielectric materials and actuators · Tactile and Sensory Interactions

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST) The University of Tokyo Meguro‐ku Tokyo Japan

Institute of Industrial Science The University of Tokyo Meguro‐ku Tokyo Japan

Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering Keio University Yokohama Kanagawa Japan

High Tech Campus 31 Holst Centre/TNO Eindhoven Netherlands

Kobayasi Institute of Physical Research Kokununji Tokyo Japan

Funding

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science · Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development · Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology · Adaptable and Seamless Technology Transfer Program through Target-Driven R and D

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