Conformal Human–Machine Integration Using Highly Bending-Insensitive, Unpixelated, and Waterproof Epidermal Electronics Toward Metaverse
Chao Wei, Wansheng Lin, Liang Wang, Zhicheng Cao, Zijian Huang, Qingliang Liao, Ziquan Guo, Yuhan Su, Yuanjin Zheng, Xinqin Liao, Zhong Chen
Abstract
Efficient and flexible interactions require precisely converting human intentions into computer-recognizable signals, which is critical to the breakthrough development of metaverse. Interactive electronics face common dilemmas, which realize high-precision and stable touch detection but are rigid, bulky, and thick or achieve high flexibility to wear but lose precision. Here, we construct highly bending-insensitive, unpixelated, and waterproof epidermal interfaces (BUW epidermal interfaces) and demonstrate their interactive applications of conformal human-machine integration. The BUW epidermal interface based on the addressable electrical contact structure exhibits high-precision and stable touch detection, high flexibility, rapid response time, excellent stability, and versatile "cut-and-paste" character. Regardless of whether being flat or bent, the BUW epidermal interface can be conformally attached to the human skin for real-time, comfortable, and unrestrained interactions. This research provides promising insight into the functional composite and structural design strategies for developing epidermal electronics, which offers a new technology route and may further broaden human-machine interactions toward metaverse.