Highly transparent and integrable surface texture change device for localized tactile feedback

• Main Authors: Ankit, Tiwari, Naveen, Rajput, Mayank, Chien, Nguyen Anh, Mathews, Nripan
• Other Authors: School of Materials Science & Engineering
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: Materials Science and Engineering; Engineering::Materials; Electroactive Polymers; Dielectric Elastomers
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/138837; https://doi.org/10.21979/N9/FNJPVD
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Human-machine haptic interaction is typically detected by variations in friction, roughness, hardness, and temperature; which combines to create sensation of surface texture change. Most of the current technologies work to simulate changes in tactile perception (via electrostatic, lateral force fields, vibration motors etc) without creating actual topographical transformations. This makes it challenging to provide localized feedback. Here, we demonstrate a new concept for on-demand surface texture augmentation that is capable of physically forming local topographic features in any pre-designed pattern. The transparent, flexible, integrable device comprises of a hybrid electrode system with conductive hydrogel, silver nanowires and conductive polymers with acrylic elastomer as the dielectric layer. Desired surface textures can be controlled by pre-designed pattern of electrodes, which operates as independent or interconnected actuators. Surface features with up to a height of 0.155 mm can be achieved with a transformation time of less than a second for a device area of 18 cm2. High transparency levels of 76% were achieved due to the judicious choice of the electrode and the active elastomer layer. The capability of localized and controlled deformations, make this system highly useful for applications such as display touchscreens, touchpads, braille displays, on-demand buttons and microfluidic devices.