Self-Powered Multifunctional Electronic Skin Based on Carbon Nanotubes/Poly(dimethylsiloxane) for Health Monitoring

Flexible and multifunctional electronic skin (e-skin) has received remarkable attention for its potential applications in health monitoring, human-machine interface, and artificial sensory nerves. However, conventional multifunctional e-skins require complex material systems, sophisticated fabrication, and external power supplies, leading to increased preparation cost and duration, thus hindering their large-scale utilization. Herein, a self-powered multifunctional e-skin system with properties of pressure, temperature, underwater sensing, and photothermal heating is designed based on carbon nanotubes/poly(dimethylsiloxane) (CNT/PDMS) acting as both the multifunctional sensing layer and the cathode of the power supply. Our micropyramidal structured e-skin exhibits outstanding pressure sensitivity (1.51 x 10(3) kPa(-1)) over a wide sensing range (2.5-255.7 kPa) and maintains ultralong-term durability (>20 000 cycles). It can also provide personalized photothermal therapy at an adjustable temperature (40-110 degrees C) and heating area under near-infrared irradiation due to the photothermal effect of CNTs, with the temperature being detected synchronously by current signals. Additionally, the hydrophobicity of the CNT/PDMS film endows our device with underwater sensing capability. Furthermore, practical healthcare applications have been demonstrated with reliable signal quality and stability, such as daily activities and underwater movements/temperature monitoring, SOS Morse code communication, and human-machine interface. This work could provide insight on developing simple, stable, and wearable healthcare devices with self-power supply and multifunction.