Multiscale-structured miniaturized 3D force sensors

Nature Materials 2026 Open access

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Authors: Guolin Yun, Z. Chen, Zhuo Chen, Jinrui Chen, Binghan Zhou, Mingfei Xiao, Michael G. Stevens, Manish Chhowalla, Md Tawfique Hasan
DOI: 10.1038/s41563-026-02508-7
Cited by: 8
References: 52

Abstract

Abstract Flexible tactile sensors are pivotal for advancing neuroprosthetics, human–machine interactions and intelligent robotics. However, achieving highly sensitive tactile sensing to differentiate normal and tangential forces, particularly in mimicking the high-resolution multidimensional haptics of human fingers, remains a challenge. Here we propose a triaxial force microsensor array made from graphene–liquid-metal composites. Using anisotropic particle networks in microporous composites with pyramid geometries, we achieve normal–tangential force decoupling through multiscale structuring. Our approach offers exceptional sensitivity of 110 kPa −1 over a 500 kPa linear range ( R 2 > 0.998), with

Fields of Study & Subjects

Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials Tactile and Sensory Interactions Dielectric materials and actuators

Publication details

Journal / source
Nature Materials
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
25
Issue
6
Pages
1011–1019
Publication date
18 February 2026
Language
EN