Multifunctional Flexible Sensor Based on Cracked Laser-Induced Graphene for Tactile Perception and Self-Healable Applications

Flexible sensors are a significant component of flexible electronics for medical activity and human physiology monitoring. However, obtaining a multifunctional flexible sensor by a simple process is still a challenge. Herein, we propose a multifunctional flexible sensor by a simple transfer of laser-induced graphene (LIG) onto polydimethylsiloxane. The uniform microcracks formed in the LIG layer during the transfer process, which enabled sensitive, stable flexible sensing with multiplex functions including stretching, bending, twisting, and pressing. The properties of the flexible sensor were investigated. It is proved that the constructed flexible sensor delivered good performances. The BoxLucas1 model, for the first time, is proposed to simulate the sensing mechanism perfectly. The porous microstructures and microcracks of the LIG enabled the high-performance multifunctional flexible sensor. The various human physical vibration signals and motions were monitored by the constructed sensor, proving the potential applications in the fields of human health and movement monitoring. A touch panel with a portable signal process and display system was constructed, which proved the sensor's application in the fields of touch screen and portable electronics. The self-healable properties of the constructed sensor are also demonstrated.