Psychological tactile sensor structure based on piezoelectric nanowire cell arrays

Abstract

To produce artificial psychological feeling, especially 'pain', an electrical structure that mimics human skin has been studied. Touch by a sharp and a blunt object induces different deformations of the skin of human fingers. In order to imitate this phenomenon, a skin-mimicking device employing piezoelectric nanowire sensor arrays is used to generate an electrical 'pain' signal with signal processing when a pen cap presses the device. The electrical 'pain' signal is expected to enhance the protection mechanism of an android robot or mobile phone against harsh environments. © 2015 The Royal Society of Chemistry.