Nanotube whiskers could aid robot-human interaction
Pressure sensors are more sensitive than record holder
Hairlike sensors made of tiny carbon tubes and silver particles are far more sensitive than previous electronic designs for pressure detectors. The new devices mimic whiskers that cats and other animals use to sense their surroundings, and could aid human-machine interaction by helping robots sense human touch.
Scientists have previously made electronic whiskers, but they are either bulky, cannot detect ultralight touches or cannot flex repeatedly without breaking. To solve these problems, a team led by University of California, Berkeley materials scientist Ali Javey painted a film of carbon nanotubes and silver nanoparticles onto a thin, flexible strand of silicone.