Enhanced Sensitivity and Versatile Detection: Dual-Sized Microsphere-Type Pressure Sensors for Soft Robotics and Wearable Electronics

The development of pressure sensors with enhanced sensitivity, expanded working range, and versatile yet decoupling detection capabilities is critical for advancing robotics and medical applications. This work presents a novel pressure sensor design utilizing the distinct responses of dual-sized microspheres to external pressure that achieves a high sensitivity of 20 kPa^-1 and an expanded pressure range of 0.1-70 kPa, enabling continuous and precise pressure detection. Functional material coatings further enhance the performance of the sensor, demonstrated here with a PEDOT:PSS layer for temperature sensing with a sensitivity of 4 × 10^-5 K^-1, while effectively decoupling temperature and pressure signals. The resulting bimodal sensor features a rapid pressure response (200 ms), low hysteresis, and exceptional durability, maintaining reliable performance over 3000 cycles. With its simple fabrication process and robust sensing capabilities, the sensor is validated through diverse applications, including gesture recognition, tactile perception in soft robotics, and handwriting detection using sensor arrays. This sensor design with dual-sized microspheres demonstrates significant potential for next-generation electronic skin, perceptive robotics, and intelligent wearable electronics, offering a versatile and practical approach to multifunctional sensing.