From leather to the next-generation skin-friendly e-skin

Abstract

Harnessing the collagenous structural hierarchy of leather is an intriguing strategy for developing the next-generation skin-friendly e-skins with integrated powerful multifunctional sensory capabilities. The current development of e-skins is significantly hindered by the limited breathability for the long-term wearability and the complexity of integrating multimodal sensors within confined device dimensions. The proteinous composition of leather is capable of providing e-skins with exceptional skin affinity, biocompatibility and water vapor permeability, thus guaranteeing the long-term wearing comfortability. The inherent hierarchical fibrous structure of leather combined with the unique reversible cross-scale deformation behaviors enables the in situ construction of highly sensitive microstructured sensors for realizing the miniaturization and integration of multimodal sensors within the constrained space of leather. As a consequence, the development of leather-based e-skins paves a new way for advancing leather industry from traditional manufacture to cutting-edge innovation.

Keywords

Leather / Electronic skin / Skin-friendly / Wearability / Multifunctional sensing capability

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Funding

the Joint Funds of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No. U24A20545)

the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No. 2217081161)

the Tianfu Yongxing Laboratory Organized Research Project Funding (No. 2024KJGG20)

the Program of Sichuan University Featured Research Groups in Engineering Disciplines

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

The Author(s)