Bioelastic state recovery for haptic sensory substitution

Matthew T. Flavin, Kyoung-Ho Ha, Zengrong Guo, Shupeng Li, Jin-Tae Kim, Tara Saxena, Dimitrios Simatos, Fatimah Al-Najjar, Yuxuan Mao, Shishir Bandapalli, Chengye Fan, Dongjun Bai, Zhuang Zhang, Yanlin Zhang, Eunhye Flavin, Kenneth E. Madsen, Yi Huang, Luoqian Emu, Jingyang Zhao, Jae-Young Yoo, Minsu Park, Jaeho Shin, Aaron G. Huang, Hee-Sup Shin, J. Edward Colgate, Yonggang Huang (), Zhaoqian Xie (), Hanqing Jiang () and John A. Rogers ()
Additional contact information
Matthew T. Flavin: Georgia Institute of Technology
Kyoung-Ho Ha: Northwestern University
Zengrong Guo: Westlake University
Shupeng Li: Northwestern University
Jin-Tae Kim: Pohang University of Science and Technology
Tara Saxena: Northwestern University
Dimitrios Simatos: Northwestern University
Fatimah Al-Najjar: Northwestern University
Yuxuan Mao: Northwestern University
Shishir Bandapalli: Northwestern University
Chengye Fan: Northwestern University
Dongjun Bai: Dalian University of Technology
Zhuang Zhang: Westlake University
Yanlin Zhang: Westlake University
Eunhye Flavin: Georgia Institute of Technology
Kenneth E. Madsen: Northwestern University
Yi Huang: Westlake University
Luoqian Emu: Westlake University
Jingyang Zhao: Westlake University
Jae-Young Yoo: Northwestern University
Minsu Park: Dankook University
Jaeho Shin: Northwestern University
Aaron G. Huang: Georgia Institute of Technology
Hee-Sup Shin: Northwestern University
J. Edward Colgate: Northwestern University
Yonggang Huang: Northwestern University
Zhaoqian Xie: Dalian University of Technology
Hanqing Jiang: Westlake University
John A. Rogers: Northwestern University

Nature, 2024, vol. 635, issue 8038, 345-352

Abstract: Abstract The rich set of mechanoreceptors found in human skin1,2 offers a versatile engineering interface for transmitting information and eliciting perceptions3,4, potentially serving a broad range of applications in patient care5 and other important industries6,7. Targeted multisensory engagement of these afferent units, however, faces persistent challenges, especially for wearable, programmable systems that need to operate adaptively across the body8–11. Here we present a miniaturized electromechanical structure that, when combined with skin as an elastic, energy-storing element, supports bistable, self-sensing modes of deformation. Targeting specific classes of mechanoreceptors as the basis for distinct, programmed sensory responses, this haptic unit can deliver both dynamic and static stimuli, directed as either normal or shear forces. Systematic experimental and theoretical studies establish foundational principles and practical criteria for low-energy operation across natural anatomical variations in the mechanical properties of human skin. A wireless, skin-conformable haptic interface, integrating an array of these bistable transducers, serves as a high-density channel capable of rendering input from smartphone-based 3D scanning and inertial sensors. Demonstrations of this system include sensory substitution designed to improve the quality of life for patients with visual and proprioceptive impairments.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08155-9

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