Embossing micro-fabrication-based epidermal electrode with a CNT-composed metal film as human–machine interface.

Recent years witness the rapid development of the internet of things and artificial intelligence, which ignites the worldwide research needs for flexible electronics to fulfill intelligent human–machine interfaces. As a promising future technology, the flexible epidermal electrode attracts great research enthusiasm in the field of intelligent robots, human–machine interfaces, virtual and augmented reality, medical treatment, health monitoring, and other emerging applications. However, it is still the main challenge to enhance the vertical charge conduction bridging the interface of metal electrode and human skin, which constructs an insurmountable obstacle for wide usage. In this article, a low-cost embossing fabrication is introduced to pattern a stretchable epidermal electrode device that consists of a carbon-nanotube (CNT)-composed metal thin film. Benefited from the excellent flexibility and stretchability, the fabricated electrode can conformably attach to the skin and collect high-quality bioelectrical signals. Moreover, this epidermal electrode features good conductivity along the vertical path for acquiring the epidermal charge, due to conductive CNTs bridging the interface of skin and this epidermal electrode. With this device structure configuration, the impedance between skin and epidermal electrode could effectively reduce by more than 50%. The conformal contact mechanism relies upon an ultra-thin metal film on skin texture, which makes the device achieves high sensitivity and durability in a human–machine interface. The electrocardiogram (ECG) and electromyography (EMG) demonstration and gesture recognition further conclude that this technology has a chance to bring up the potential of clinical applications as a human–machine interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]