2LN-1 : A bioinspired, synthetic multicellular ionic polymer composite for ultrasensitive ionic skin

Ionic skin is a new type of sensory sheet, composed of an elastic matrix swollen by ionic liquids, that can detect the external stimuli similar to human skin. Here, we present a bioinspired synthetic multicellular ionic polymer composite composed of ionic liquid confined on the surface of silica microparticles (as artificial cells) embedded into a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomeric matrix (artificial extracellular matrix) to fabricate ultrasensitive ionic skins (48.1-5.8 kPa-1) over a wide spectrum of pressures (0-135 kPa) at an ultra-low voltage of 1 mV. This ionic skin engages in hydrogen bond-triggered reversible pumping of ionic fluids under pressure with the ability to surpass the pressuresensing capabilities of natural skin mechanoreceptors. Our ultrasensitive ionic skin realizes the fabrication of a wearable drone microcontroller, capable of simultaneous and selective controlling of aerial drone’s during its flight.