Electronic skin (e-skin) mimicking functionalities and mechanical properties of natural skin can find broad applications. We here demonstrate a robust yet rehealable, fully recyclable and malleable e-skin based on dynamic covalent thermoset doped with conductive silver nanoparticles. Tactile, temperature, flow and humidity sensing capabilities are realized. The e-skin can be rehealed when it’s damaged, and can be fully recycled at room temperature. After rehealing or recycling, the e-skin regains mechanical and electrical properties comparable to the original e-skin. In addition, malleability enables the e-skin to permanently conform to complex, curved surfaces without introducing excessive interfacial stresses. These properties of the e-skin yield an economical and eco-friendly technology that can find broad applications in robotics, prosthetics, healthcare and human-computer interface.

Rehealable, fully recyclable and malleable electronic skin enabled by dynamic covalent thermoset nanocomposite

256th National Meeting (2018)

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