Breakthrough in Smart Skin Technology: NCHU Develops Bio-Inspired Tactile Electronics, Published in a High-Impact Journal
2025-01-20
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Imagine a future where robots possess tactile sensitivity as sharp as that of human fingertips. Researchers at National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) have developed Artificial Merkel Discs, a revolutionary tactile sensor inspired by human mechanoreceptors. Published in Materials Science & Engineering R (Impact Factor: 31.6), this device mimics human touch sensitivity and is 10 million times smaller than traditional circuits, about the size of a human hair.
Merkel discs, located in human skin, are specialized sensory receptors responsible for detecting fine pressure changes, enabling the perception of textures, shapes, and edges—such as how blind individuals read Braille through touch. NCHU’s Artificial Merkel Discs replicate these capabilities using advanced 2D materials: molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), and graphene. Key features include:
• Inverse Notch Signaling for Precision Tactile Sensitivity: Enhances low-frequency signals (11.23 Hz) for detailed shape and texture recognition, closely matching the frequency range (5–15 Hz) to which biological Merkel discs are most sensitive.
• Noise Suppression via Lateral Inhibition: Reduces interference for accurate spatial discrimination.
• Neuromorphic Behavior: Simulates human touch, enabling slow adaptive tactile perception.
• Miniaturization: Reduces circuit size drastically, paving the way for seamless integration into advanced applications.
The artificial device can be integrated with tactile pressure sensors to form arrays, such as a 5 × 5 grid, capable of recognizing directional motion and distinguishing intricate patterns like the letter "N" from pressure maps. This functionality brings us closer to enabling robots and prosthetics to interact with the physical world through touch.
According to Prof. Shu-Ping Lin, the device's ability to replicate two core features of human tactile perception—low-frequency responsiveness and noise suppression—lays the groundwork for future technologies such as advanced prosthetics, robotic tactile sensors, and real-time feedback systems for smart home devices. Prof. Yen-Fu Lin adds, “This is not only a scientific milestone but a transformative step toward the future of artificial intelligence and smart devices. Our next focus will be scaling this technology for mass production, unlocking new possibilities for the semiconductor and AI industries.”
Its compact size and advanced functionality make it ideal for applications in prosthetics, AI robotics, e-skin, and human-machine interfaces. NCHU's innovation paves the way for a future where machines and devices can "FEEL" the world with human-like precision.
Paper Link: https://authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S0927-796X(25)00003-8
Merkel discs, located in human skin, are specialized sensory receptors responsible for detecting fine pressure changes, enabling the perception of textures, shapes, and edges—such as how blind individuals read Braille through touch. NCHU’s Artificial Merkel Discs replicate these capabilities using advanced 2D materials: molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), and graphene. Key features include:
• Inverse Notch Signaling for Precision Tactile Sensitivity: Enhances low-frequency signals (11.23 Hz) for detailed shape and texture recognition, closely matching the frequency range (5–15 Hz) to which biological Merkel discs are most sensitive.
• Noise Suppression via Lateral Inhibition: Reduces interference for accurate spatial discrimination.
• Neuromorphic Behavior: Simulates human touch, enabling slow adaptive tactile perception.
• Miniaturization: Reduces circuit size drastically, paving the way for seamless integration into advanced applications.
The artificial device can be integrated with tactile pressure sensors to form arrays, such as a 5 × 5 grid, capable of recognizing directional motion and distinguishing intricate patterns like the letter "N" from pressure maps. This functionality brings us closer to enabling robots and prosthetics to interact with the physical world through touch.
According to Prof. Shu-Ping Lin, the device's ability to replicate two core features of human tactile perception—low-frequency responsiveness and noise suppression—lays the groundwork for future technologies such as advanced prosthetics, robotic tactile sensors, and real-time feedback systems for smart home devices. Prof. Yen-Fu Lin adds, “This is not only a scientific milestone but a transformative step toward the future of artificial intelligence and smart devices. Our next focus will be scaling this technology for mass production, unlocking new possibilities for the semiconductor and AI industries.”
Its compact size and advanced functionality make it ideal for applications in prosthetics, AI robotics, e-skin, and human-machine interfaces. NCHU's innovation paves the way for a future where machines and devices can "FEEL" the world with human-like precision.
Paper Link: https://authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S0927-796X(25)00003-8
Breakthrough in Smart Skin Technology: NCHU Develops Bio-Inspired Tactile Electronics, Published in a High-Impact Journal
Breakthrough in Smart Skin Technology: NCHU Develops Bio-Inspired Tactile Electronics, Published in a High-Impact Journal
