A Programmable Single-Sided Multipole Magnetization Strategy for Customizable and High-Performance Flexible Magnetic Tactile Interface

Magnetic tactile interfaces hold significant promise for wearable electronics and human-machine interaction, owing to their high sensitivity and ability to detect multidirectional forces. However, their sensing performance and design flexibility are restricted by the magnetization profiles of flexible films and the spatial alignment of Hall sensors. To overcome these limitations, we present a programmable single-sided magnetization approach. This method uses thermally assisted SmCo magnets to create magnetic patterns in NdFeB films through a single-sided process, cutting the number of magnets in half compared to double-sided designs. This method allows the design of magnetic arrays with customizable pole counts and sizes, ranging from a dipole to a complex 15 × 15 grid of magnetic poles. The resulting films show significant field asymmetry: a strong sensor-facing surface (∼15 mT) provides high sensitivity, while a weak outward surface (∼2 mT) reduces external interference and unwanted attraction. Combined simulations and experiments clarify how pole configurations and sensor alignment influence tactile responses. The sensors developed demonstrate adjustable performance and versatility, as shown by their use in a compact tactile interface for children's attention training and in a large, flexible keyboard. This highlights the potential of this magnetization strategy for reconfigurable tactile systems.