Human skin-inspired neuromorphic sensors

Abstract

Human skin-inspired neuromorphic sensors have shown great potential in revolutionizing machines to perceive and interact with environments. Human skin is a remarkable organ, capable of detecting a wide variety of stimuli with high sensitivity and adaptability. To emulate these complex functions, skin-inspired neuromorphic sensors have been engineered with flexible or stretchable materials to sense pressure, temperature, texture, and other physical or chemical factors. When integrated with neuromorphic computing systems, which emulate the brain’s ability to process sensory information efficiently, these sensors can further enable real-time, context-aware responses. This study summarizes the state-of-the-art research on skin-inspired sensors and the principles of neuromorphic computing, exploring their synergetic potential to create intelligent and adaptive systems for robotics, healthcare, and wearable technology. Additionally, we discuss challenges in material/device development, system integration, and computational frameworks of human skin-inspired neuromorphic sensors, and highlight promising directions for future research.

Keywords

Skin-inspired sensors / neuromorphic computing / system integration

References

[1] Yu Z,Taha A.An intelligent implementation of multi-sensing data fusion with neuromorphic computing for human activity recognition.IEEE Internet Things J2023;10:1124-33

[2] Ji X,Tan MC.Artificial perception built on memristive system: visual, auditory, and tactile sensations.Adv Intell Syst2020;2:1900118

[3] Lee JP,Jang Y.Encoding of multi-modal emotional information via personalized skin-integrated wireless facial interface.Nat Commun2024;15:530 PMCID:PMC10789773

[4] Xiong W,Guo D.Bio-inspired, intelligent flexible sensing skin for multifunctional flying perception.Nano Energy2021;90:106550

[5] Zhao C,Root SE.Skin-inspired soft bioelectronic materials, devices and systems.Nat Rev Bioeng2024;2:671-90

[6] Wan T,Ma S,Li Q.In-sensor computing: materials, devices, and integration technologies.Adv Mater2023;35:2203830

[7] Wang Z,Zhang X.Flexible photovoltaic micro-power system enabled with a customized MPPT.Appl Energy2024;367:123425

[8] Milakov M. Deep learning with GPUs. https://www.nvidia.co.uk/docs/IO/147844/Deep-Learning-With-GPUs-MaximMilakov-NVIDIA.pdf. (accessed 2025-03-14)

[9] Cox DD.Neural networks and neuroscience-inspired computer vision.Curr Biol2014;24:R921-9

[10] Yoon SJ,Lee YK.The neuromorphic computing for biointegrated electronics.Soft Sci2024;4:30

[11] Han J,Lee S,Choi Y.A review of artificial spiking neuron devices for neural processing and sensing.Adv Funct Mater2022;32:2204102

[12] Torricelli F,Bao Z.Electrolyte-gated transistors for enhanced performance bioelectronics.Nat Rev Methods Primers2021;1:66 PMCID:PMC9037952

[13] Jang Y,Kang J.Amorphous InGaZnO (a-IGZO) synaptic transistor for neuromorphic computing.ACS Appl Electron Mater2022;4:1427-48

[14] Song MK,Zhang X.Recent advances and future prospects for memristive materials, devices, and systems.ACS Nano2023;17:11994-2039

[15] Tong P,Xu H.Highly parallel writing strategy based on diagonal-gates-connection 1T1R arrays.IEEE Trans Electron Devices2022;69:6693-8

[16] Song H,Kim G.Fully memristive elementary motion detectors for a maneuver prediction.Adv Mater2024;36:e2309708

[17] Wu Z,Shi T.A habituation sensory nervous system with memristors.Adv Mater2020;32:e2004398

[18] Li QX,Cao YY.Ferroelectric artificial synapse for neuromorphic computing and flexible applications.Fundam Res2023;3:960-6 PMCID:PMC11197568

[19] Chen C,Tong L,Xu J.Emerging 2D ferroelectric devices for in-sensor and in-memory computing.Adv Mater2025;37:e2400332 PMCID:PMC11733831

[20] Demasius K,Parkin S.Energy-efficient memcapacitor devices for neuromorphic computing.Nat Electron2021;4:748-56

[21] Teja Nibhanupudi SS,Veksler D.Ultra-fast switching memristors based on two-dimensional materials.Nat Commun2024;15:2334 PMCID:PMC10940724

[22] Fu GE,Zhao W,Zhang T.2D conjugated polymer thin films for organic electronics: opportunities and challenges.Adv Mater2024;36:e2311541

[23] Lv Z,Liu HY.Temperature-resilient polymeric memristors for effective deblurring in static and dynamic imaging.Adv Funct Mater2025;2424382

[24] Liu Y,Hu H.Inkjet printed metal–organic frameworks for non-volatile memory devices suitable for printed RRAM.Adv Funct Mater2025;35:2412372

[25] Qian F,Wang J,Han S.Evolutionary 2D organic crystals for optoelectronic transistors and neuromorphic computing.Neuromorph Comput Eng2022;2:012001

[26] Duan X,Gao K.Memristor-based neuromorphic chips.Adv Mater2024;36:e2310704

[27] Kim T,Kim J.Spiking neural network (SNN) with memristor synapses having non-linear weight update.Front Comput Neurosci2021;15:646125 PMCID:PMC7996210

[28] Krauhausen I,Spolaor S,van de Burgt Y.Brain-inspired organic electronics: merging neuromorphic computing and bioelectronics using conductive polymers.Adv Funct Mater2024;34:2307729

[29] Kotsiantis SB,Pintelas PE.Machine learning: a review of classification and combining techniques.Artif Intell Rev2006;26:159-90

[30] Peng H,Guo X.Memristor-based spiking neural networks: cooperative development of neural network architecture/algorithms and memristors.Chip2024;3:100093

[31] Chen J,Simeone O.Neuromorphic integrated sensing and communications.IEEE Wireless Commun Lett2023;12:476-80

[32] Chen J,Simeone O.Neuromorphic Wireless cognition: event-driven semantic communications for remote inference.IEEE Trans Cogn Commun Netw2023;9:252-65

[33] Ng SE,Yang J.Advances in multi-terminal transistors as reconfigurable interconnections for neuromorphic sensing and processing.Adv Elect Mater2024;10:2300540

[34] Fang SL,Han ZR.An artificial spiking afferent neuron system achieved by 1M1S for neuromorphic computing.IEEE Trans Electron Devices2022;69:2346-52

[35] Jang H,Beak CJ,Lee SH.Flexible neuromorphic electronics for wearable near-sensor and in-sensor computing systems.Adv Mater2025;37:e2416073

[36] Zhang H,Lu Y.In-sensor computing realization using fully CMOS-compatible TiN/HfO_x-based neuristor array.ACS Sens2023;8:3873-81

[37] Zhu Y,Zhu Y.CMOS-compatible neuromorphic devices for neuromorphic perception and computing: a review.Int J Extrem Manuf2023;5:042010

[38] Schuman CD,Parsa M,Date P.Opportunities for neuromorphic computing algorithms and applications.Nat Comput Sci2022;2:10-9

[39] Sandamirskaya Y,Conradt J.Neuromorphic computing hardware and neural architectures for robotics.Sci Robot2022;7:eabl8419

[40] Kong H,Song Z.Recent advances in multimodal sensing integration and decoupling strategies for tactile perception.Mater Futures2024;3:022501

[41] Liu Y,Liu T.Triboelectric tactile sensor for pressure and temperature sensing in high-temperature applications.Nat Commun2025;16:383 PMCID:PMC11698958

[42] Neupane B,Rajabifard A.CNNs for remote extraction of urban features: a survey-driven benchmarking.Expert Syst Appl2024;255:124751

[43] Zheng X,Xu C,Cui Z.An attribution graph-based interpretable method for CNNs.Neural Netw2024;179:106597

[44] Xu K,Luo H.Toward integrated multifunctional laser-induced graphene-based skin-like flexible sensor systems.ACS Nano2024;18:26435-76

[45] Su Y,Zheng JJ.Switching molecular recognition selectivities by temperature in a diffusion-regulatory porous material.Nat Commun2024;15:144 PMCID:PMC10761840

[46] Casanova-Chafer J.Roadmap for borophene gas sensors.ACS Sens2025;10:76-99

[47] Wang W,Wang H.A breathable, stretchable, and self-calibrated multimodal electronic skin based on hydrogel microstructures for wireless wearables.Adv Funct Mater2024;34:2316339

[48] Ferreira RG,Nunes-Pereira J.Current on-skin flexible sensors, materials, manufacturing approaches, and study trends for health monitoring: a review.ACS Sens2024;9:1104-33 PMCID:PMC10964246

[49] Ahmed SM,Hatta SFWM.Flexible CNT/silicon piezo-resistive strain sensors geometrical influences on sensitivity for human motion detection.J Comput Electron2024;23:456-66

[50] Joshi A,Panigrahi RK.Multi-frame fringing field capacitive soil moisture sensor with enhanced sensitivity and penetration depth.IEEE Trans Instrum Meas2024;73:1-13

[51] Xiong J,Chen X.Skin-touch-actuated textile-based triboelectric nanogenerator with black phosphorus for durable biomechanical energy harvesting.Nat Commun2018;9:4280 PMCID:PMC6189134

[52] Liu Z,Ma J,Jia D.Multimodal capacitive proximity sensing array with programmable spatial resolution and dynamic detection range.Sens Actuators A Phys2024;370:115279

[53] Wang L,Li C.Multifunctional tactile sensors for object recognition.Adv Funct Mater2024;34:2409358

[54] Dai Y,Liu K,Liu Y.TimeDDPM: time series augmentation strategy for industrial soft sensing.IEEE Sensors J2024;24:2145-53

[55] Geng H,Ma L.Multi-sensor filtering fusion meets censored measurements under a constrained network environment: advances, challenges and prospects.Int J Syst Sci2021;52:3410-36

[56] Li D,Gao Z,Yu X.Recent progress of skin-integrated electronics for intelligent sensing.Light Adv Manuf2021;2:39-58

[57] Yuan X,Wang Y,Gui W.A layer-wise data augmentation strategy for deep learning networks and its soft sensor application in an industrial hydrocracking process.IEEE Trans Neural Netw Learn Syst2021;32:3296-305

[58] Naqi M,Cho Y.Integration of IGZO-based memristor and Pt-based temperature sensor for enhanced artificial nociceptor system.Mater Today Nano2024;27:100491

[59] Wei Y,Zhu P,Zhao B.Multifunctional organohydrogel-based ionic skin for capacitance and temperature sensing toward intelligent skin-like devices.Chem Mater2021;33:8623-34

[60] Liu Z,Zhang B.A thin-film temperature sensor based on a flexible electrode and substrate.Microsyst Nanoeng2021;7:42 PMCID:PMC8166532

[61] Ma C,Huang YC.Robust flexible pressure sensors made from conductive micropyramids for manipulation tasks.ACS Nano2020;14:12866-76

[62] Ji J,Wang Y,Wang G.Templated laser-induced-graphene-based tactile sensors enable wearable health monitoring and texture recognition via deep neural network.ACS Nano2023;17:20153-66

[63] Zou Y,Tan P.Stretchable graded multichannel self-powered respiratory sensor inspired by shark gill.Fundam Res2022;2:619-28 PMCID:PMC11197527

[64] Xie X,Zhao C.Neuromorphic computing-assisted triboelectric capacitive-coupled tactile sensor array for wireless mixed reality interaction.ACS Nano2024;18:17041-52

[65] Wu C,Park JH.Self-powered tactile sensor with learning and memory.ACS Nano2020;14:1390-8

[66] Chen S,Yang L,Zhang W.Multi-sized planar capacitive pressure sensor with ultra-high sensitivity.Nano Energy2021;87:106178

[67] Lee HK,Chang S.Normal and shear force measurement using a flexible polymer tactile sensor with embedded multiple capacitors.J Microelectromech Syst2008;17:934-42

[68] Zhu Y,Wang G.A flexible capacitive pressure sensor based on an electrospun polyimide nanofiber membrane.Org Electron2020;84:105759

[69] Li H,Sun M.Breathable and skin-conformal electronics with hybrid integration of microfabricated multifunctional sensors and kirigami-structured nanofibrous substrates.Adv Funct Mater2022;32:2202792

[70] Lee JH,Kim JK.Age of flexible electronics: emerging trends in soft multifunctional sensors.Adv Mater2024;36:e2310505

[71] Luo H,Xu K,Yang H.A fully printed flexible sensor sheet for simultaneous proximity–pressure–temperature detection.Adv Mater Technol2021;6:2100616

[72] Yang Q,Wu R.A highly sensitive iontronic bimodal sensor with pressure-temperature discriminability for robot skin.Adv Mater Technol2023;8:2300561

[73] Liu Z,Bo R.A three-dimensionally architected electronic skin mimicking human mechanosensation.Science2024;384:987-94

[74] Li P,Su M.Skin-inspired large area iontronic pressure sensor with ultra-broad range and high sensitivity.Nano Energy2022;101:107571

[75] Fang Z,Li X,Lo GQ.HfO_x/TiO_x/HfO_x/TiO_x multilayer-based forming-free RRAM devices with excellent uniformity.IEEE Electron Device Lett2011;32:566-8

[76] Fan J,Gao Y.PEDOT-ZnO nanoparticle hybrid film-based memristors for synapse emulation in neuromorphic computing applications.ACS Appl Nano Mater2024;7:5661-8

[77] Xu Y,Ye D,Huang Y.Electrohydrodynamically printed flexible organic memristor for leaky integrate and fire neuron.IEEE Electron Device Lett2022;43:116-9

[78] Strukov DB,Stewart DR.The missing memristor found.Nature2008;453:80-3

[79] Duan Q,Zou X.Spiking neurons with spatiotemporal dynamics and gain modulation for monolithically integrated memristive neural networks.Nat Commun2020;11:3399 PMCID:PMC7341810

[80] Xue F,Wang L.MoS₂ tribotronic transistor for smart tactile switch.Adv Funct Mater2016;26:2104-9

[81] Chen L,Zhang S,Zhang Z.Artificial tactile peripheral nervous system supported by self-powered transducers.Nano Energy2021;82:105680

[82] Chen L,Chaki S.Spike timing-based coding in neuromimetic tactile system enables dynamic object classification.Science2024;384:660-5

[83] Zhong D,Jiang Y.High-speed and large-scale intrinsically stretchable integrated circuits.Nature2024;627:313-20

[84] Wang W,Zhong D.Neuromorphic sensorimotor loop embodied by monolithically integrated, low-voltage, soft e-skin.Science2023;380:735-42

[85] Schwartz G,Mei J.Flexible polymer transistors with high pressure sensitivity for application in electronic skin and health monitoring.Nat Commun2013;4:1859

[86] Lee Y,Lee T.Neuromorphic skin based on emerging artificial synapses.Adv Mater Technol2022;7:2200193

[87] Su Q,Li Y.A stretchable and strain-unperturbed pressure sensor for motion interference-free tactile monitoring on skins.Sci Adv2021;7:eabi4563 PMCID:PMC8612682

[88] Kweon H,Kim S.Ion trap and release dynamics enables nonintrusive tactile augmentation in monolithic sensory neuron.Sci Adv2023;9:eadi3827 PMCID:PMC10584339

[89] Sun F,Hao M.An artificial neuromorphic somatosensory system with spatio-temporal tactile perception and feedback functions.npj Flex Electron2022;6:202

[90] Yang C,Zhou G.A multifunctional memristor with coexistence of NDR and RS behaviors for logic operation and somatosensory temperature sensing applications.Nano Today2024;57:102382

[91] Wang L,Gao Z.Artificial tactile sensing neuron with tactile sensing ability based on a chitosan memristor.Adv Sci2024;11:e2308610 PMCID:PMC11109609

[92] Xie Z,Wang W.Temporal pattern coding in ionic memristor-based spiking neurons for adaptive tactile perception.Adv Elect Mater2022;8:2200334

[93] Zhu J,Wang M.An artificial spiking nociceptor integrating pressure sensors and memristors.IEEE Electron Device Lett2022;43:962-5

[94] Zhu J,Wang R.A heterogeneously integrated spiking neuron array for multimode-fused perception and object classification.Adv Mater2022;34:e2200481

[95] Wu Y,Zhu J.Brain-inspired global-local learning incorporated with neuromorphic computing.Nat Commun2022;13:65 PMCID:PMC8748814

[96] Zhou G,Sun B.Volatile and nonvolatile memristive devices for neuromorphic computing.Adv Elect Mater2022;8:2101127

[97] Chen S,Jia Y.Recent advances in bio-integrated electrochemical sensors for neuroengineering.Fundam Res2025;5:29-47

[98] Roy K,Panda P.Towards spike-based machine intelligence with neuromorphic computing.Nature2019;575:607-17

[99] Yuan R,Cai L.A neuromorphic physiological signal processing system based on VO₂ memristor for next-generation human-machine interface.Nat Commun2023;14:3695 PMCID:PMC10284901

[100] Wang Z,Savel’ev S.Fully memristive neural networks for pattern classification with unsupervised learning.Nat Electron2018;1:137-45

[101] Serb A,Khiat A,Legenstein R.Unsupervised learning in probabilistic neural networks with multi-state metal-oxide memristive synapses.Nat Commun2016;7:12611 PMCID:PMC5056401

[102] Fang W,Ding J.SpikingJelly: an open-source machine learning infrastructure platform for spike-based intelligence.Sci Adv2023;9:eadi1480 PMCID:PMC10558124

[103] Yao P,Gao B.Fully hardware-implemented memristor convolutional neural network.Nature2020;577:641-6

[104] Fu Y,Wang L.A wearable sensor using structured silver-particle reinforced PDMS for radial arterial pulse wave monitoring.Adv Healthc Mater2019;8:e1900633

[105] Li Z,Tang W.Crossmodal sensory neurons based on high-performance flexible memristors for human-machine in-sensor computing system.Nat Commun2024;15:7275 PMCID:PMC11344147

[106] Li G,Mao Q.Multifunctional electronic skins enable robots to safely and dexterously interact with human.Adv Sci2022;9:e2104969 PMCID:PMC9008439

[107] Son D,Vardoulis O.An integrated self-healable electronic skin system fabricated via dynamic reconstruction of a nanostructured conducting network.Nat Nanotechnol2018;13:1057-65

[108] Sang S,Zhang F.Three-dimensional printed bimodal electronic skin with high resolution and breathability for hair growth.ACS Appl Mater Interfaces2022;14:31493-501

[109] Shi W,Tang S,Yang C.A bionic hand controlled by hand gesture recognition based on surface EMG signals: a preliminary study.Biocybern Biomed Eng2018;38:126-35

[110] Gao W,Kiriya D,Javey A.Flexible electronics toward wearable sensing.Acc Chem Res2019;52:523-33

[111] Ji Z,Liu H.The design and characterization of a flexible tactile sensing array for robot skin.Sensors2016;16:2001 PMCID:PMC5190982

[112] Chen S,Hou K.Artificial organic afferent nerves enable closed-loop tactile feedback for intelligent robot.Nat Commun2024;15:7056 PMCID:PMC11327256

[113] de Oliveira, T. E.; Cretu, A.; Petriu, E. M. Multimodal bio-inspired tactile sensing module.IEEE Sensors J2017;17:3231-43

[114] Zhang C,Zhou K.Bioinspired artificial sensory nerve based on nafion memristor.Adv Funct Mater2019;29:1808783

[115] Hui X,Zhang D.Acoustically enhanced triboelectric stethoscope for ultrasensitive cardiac sounds sensing and disease diagnosis.Adv Mater2024;36:e2401508

[116] Zhao D,Chen Z.Eco-friendly in-situ gap generation of no-spacer triboelectric nanogenerator for monitoring cardiovascular activities.Nano Energy2021;90:106580

[117] Sun Y,Cao L.Intelligent cardiovascular disease diagnosis system combined piezoelectric nanogenerator based on 2D Bi₂O₂Se with deep learning technique.Nano Energy2024;128:109878

[118] Chen Z,Zhou C.Phase transformation enabled textile triboelectric nanogenerators for wearable energy harvesting and personal thermoregulation.Nano Energy2024;132:110361

[119] Sengupta D,Chicca E.Skin-inspired flexible and stretchable electrospun carbon nanofiber sensors for neuromorphic sensing.ACS Appl Electron Mater2022;4:308-15 PMCID:PMC8793024

[120] Sengupta D,Kottapalli AGP.Electrospun bundled carbon nanofibers for skin-inspired tactile sensing, proprioception and gesture tracking applications.npj Flex Electron2021;5:126

[121] Kim S,Park J.A skin-inspired, self-powered tactile sensor.Nano Energy2022;101:107608

[122] Jiang C,Sun N.60 nm Pixel-size pressure piezo-memory system as ultrahigh-resolution neuromorphic tactile sensor for in-chip computing.Nano Energy2021;87:106190