journal article·2026-02Open access

Ion‐Electron Fusion Transparent Film for Interactive Soft Robotics

Zhiqiu Ye, Chao Zhang, Gaoyang Pang, Kaichen Xu, Shuangjia Liu, Yichen Wang, Jiahuan Qiu, Huaixuan Dai, Bingru Wang, Yinliang Gan, Liu Yang, Huayong Yang, Geng Yang

Advanced Science· Volume 13· Issue 8

Abstract

Abstract Marine organisms combine sensory networks and bioluminescence to achieve adaptive interaction in complex environments. Existing bioinspired soft robots, however, mainly focus on actuation and rarely integrate both functionalities to enhance autonomy. Flexible transparent conductive films offer a promising route for strain‐based proprioception and visible light communication, but maintaining stable conductivity and high transparency under large deformations remains challenging. Here, An ion‐electron fusion film is presented, termed i‐PEDOT:PSS, comprising a poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene‐sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) layer on an ionic substrate. The interfacial ion penetration, in combination with the pre‐formed microcrack structure, imparts i‐PEDOT:PSS with robust conductivity and desirable strain‐sensing capability under large strain. The i‐PEDOT:PSS achieves a highly linear and repeatable electromechanical response over strains up to 300%, approximately three times that of previously reported transparent strain sensors, while maintaining an optical transmittance of 93%. Benefiting from these properties, i‐PEDOT:PSS serves as a multifunctional component in soft robotic systems. As a strain sensor, it enables real‐time monitoring and adjustment of the locomotion state of underwater transparent soft robots. As a stretchable transparent electrode, it supports electroluminescent devices for underwater optical signal transmission. This work established a fully soft, interactive robotic platform, offering a new framework for the development of perceptive and communicative soft robotics.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials · Analytical Chemistry and Sensors · Modular Robots and Swarm Intelligence

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

Affiliations

State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems School of Mechanical Engineering Zhejiang University Hangzhou 310000 P. R. China

School of Electrical and Computer Engineering The University of Sydney Sydney 2006 Australia

MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization Department of Polymer Science and Engineering Zhejiang University Hangzhou 310000 P. R. China

Polytechnic Institute Zhejiang University Hangzhou 310000 P. R. China

Department of Energy Environmental and Chemical Engineering Washington University St. Louis MI 63 130 USA

ZJU‐UIUC Institute Zhejiang University Haining 314400 P. R. China

College of Optical Science and Engineering Zhejiang University Hangzhou 310000 P. R. China

State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems the School of Mechanical Engineering the Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Robotics in Electric Equipment Manufacturing and Intelligent Operation‐Maintenance and the Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Intelligent Operation and Maintenance Robot Zhejiang University Hangzhou 310000 P. R. China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province

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