De Novo Synthesis and Assembly of Flexible and Biocompatible Physical Sensing Platforms

Abstract

Abstract Flexible physical sensing platforms (PSP) that can detect and communicate with surrounding physical data, such as force, strain, and temperature, are of interest in a variety of high‐tech fields, such as for wearable electronics, soft robotics, and real‐time healthcare monitoring. However, a crucial question remains relative to the design and assembly of PSPs that can meet the multitude of requirements for such devices, such as biocompatibility, stretchability, and high‐sensitivity to the target factor. In this study, a flexible PSP system based on graphene and biodegradable copolyester poly(CL‐ co ‐TOSUO) (PCT), which is synthesized by ring‐opening copolymerization of ε‐caprolactone (CL) and 1,4,8‐trioxaspiro‐[4,6]‐9‐undecanone (TOSUO). In this PSP system, graphene acts as conductive layer to connect the electrical signals, while the highly‐stretchable linear copolyester with structural transfer temperature (melting temperature of crystals) at 37 °C provides an active substrate to sense moderate mechanical and temperature stimuli. The resultant PCT/graphene PSP features high sensitivity for a manifold of mild surrounding physical stimuli, such as finger touch and movement, sound vibrations, body temperature, and light bulb temperature, showing promising applications in healthcare monitoring, human–machine interface, as well as soft robotics.