Tactile near-sensor computing systems incorporating hourglass-shaped microstructured capacitive sensors for bio-realistic energy efficiency
Abstract Bio-inspired near-sensor computing, which integrates sensing and processing functions, presents a promising strategy to enhance efficiency and reduce latency in such applications. Here, we introduce tactile sensory nerve systems with biologically realistic energy efficiency, utilizing starf...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-05-01
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| Series: | npj Flexible Electronics |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41528-025-00415-6 |
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| author | Jae-Yeong Cho Seong Eun Kim Chang-Jae Beak Jihwan Lee Wonjeong Suh Bo-Yeon Lee Sin-Hyung Lee |
| author_facet | Jae-Yeong Cho Seong Eun Kim Chang-Jae Beak Jihwan Lee Wonjeong Suh Bo-Yeon Lee Sin-Hyung Lee |
| author_sort | Jae-Yeong Cho |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Bio-inspired near-sensor computing, which integrates sensing and processing functions, presents a promising strategy to enhance efficiency and reduce latency in such applications. Here, we introduce tactile sensory nerve systems with biologically realistic energy efficiency, utilizing starfish-inspired capacitive pressure sensors integrated with flexible memristors. These starfish-inspired sensors, with their high aspect ratio (~3) and stress-focusing, hourglass-shaped dielectric microstructures, enable highly sensitive tactile detection across a broad pressure range, effectively mimicking the properties of human skin. Artificial tactile sensory nerves, which integrate the capacitive sensor with a flexible memristor exhibiting synaptic plasticity, function reliably as energy-efficient near-sensor computing systems by bio-realistically transducing mechanical stimuli into transient electrical signals. The developed system operates as both an artificial nociceptor and a tactile near-sensor computing unit, with energy consumption approaching biological levels at approximately 140 pJ and 2.2 fJ, respectively. This neuro-inspired localized computing strategy offers a physical platform for advanced smart user interface applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-093cdba516074e55b040587221d5acfe |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2397-4621 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Flexible Electronics |
| spelling | doaj-art-093cdba516074e55b040587221d5acfe2025-08-20T01:47:32ZengNature Portfolionpj Flexible Electronics2397-46212025-05-019111010.1038/s41528-025-00415-6Tactile near-sensor computing systems incorporating hourglass-shaped microstructured capacitive sensors for bio-realistic energy efficiencyJae-Yeong Cho0Seong Eun Kim1Chang-Jae Beak2Jihwan Lee3Wonjeong Suh4Bo-Yeon Lee5Sin-Hyung Lee6School of Advanced Fusion Studies, Department of Intelligent Semiconductor Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dongdaemun-guSchool of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-guSchool of Advanced Fusion Studies, Department of Intelligent Semiconductor Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dongdaemun-guSchool of Advanced Fusion Studies, Department of Intelligent Semiconductor Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dongdaemun-guDepartment of Bionic Machinery, Research Institute of AI Robotics, Korea Institute of Machinery and MaterialsDepartment of Bionic Machinery, Research Institute of AI Robotics, Korea Institute of Machinery and MaterialsSchool of Advanced Fusion Studies, Department of Intelligent Semiconductor Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dongdaemun-guAbstract Bio-inspired near-sensor computing, which integrates sensing and processing functions, presents a promising strategy to enhance efficiency and reduce latency in such applications. Here, we introduce tactile sensory nerve systems with biologically realistic energy efficiency, utilizing starfish-inspired capacitive pressure sensors integrated with flexible memristors. These starfish-inspired sensors, with their high aspect ratio (~3) and stress-focusing, hourglass-shaped dielectric microstructures, enable highly sensitive tactile detection across a broad pressure range, effectively mimicking the properties of human skin. Artificial tactile sensory nerves, which integrate the capacitive sensor with a flexible memristor exhibiting synaptic plasticity, function reliably as energy-efficient near-sensor computing systems by bio-realistically transducing mechanical stimuli into transient electrical signals. The developed system operates as both an artificial nociceptor and a tactile near-sensor computing unit, with energy consumption approaching biological levels at approximately 140 pJ and 2.2 fJ, respectively. This neuro-inspired localized computing strategy offers a physical platform for advanced smart user interface applications.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41528-025-00415-6 |
| spellingShingle | Jae-Yeong Cho Seong Eun Kim Chang-Jae Beak Jihwan Lee Wonjeong Suh Bo-Yeon Lee Sin-Hyung Lee Tactile near-sensor computing systems incorporating hourglass-shaped microstructured capacitive sensors for bio-realistic energy efficiency npj Flexible Electronics |
| title | Tactile near-sensor computing systems incorporating hourglass-shaped microstructured capacitive sensors for bio-realistic energy efficiency |
| title_full | Tactile near-sensor computing systems incorporating hourglass-shaped microstructured capacitive sensors for bio-realistic energy efficiency |
| title_fullStr | Tactile near-sensor computing systems incorporating hourglass-shaped microstructured capacitive sensors for bio-realistic energy efficiency |
| title_full_unstemmed | Tactile near-sensor computing systems incorporating hourglass-shaped microstructured capacitive sensors for bio-realistic energy efficiency |
| title_short | Tactile near-sensor computing systems incorporating hourglass-shaped microstructured capacitive sensors for bio-realistic energy efficiency |
| title_sort | tactile near sensor computing systems incorporating hourglass shaped microstructured capacitive sensors for bio realistic energy efficiency |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41528-025-00415-6 |
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