A robust tactile shear stress sensor derived from a bio-inspired artificial haircell sensor

This paper reported a robust tactile shear stress sensor derived from a bio-inspired artificial hair-cell (AHC) flow sensor previously developed in our group. Not only owing excellent sensitivity and directional response, the AHC is also a versatile device with potential capability beyond flow sensing. We demonstrated here the AHC sensor is modified into a tough shear stress sensor by casting it into polymer like PDMS. This approach achieves both great sensitivity and robustness. Also it has good directional response over entire 360 degree. Moreover, with polymerpsilas protection, the sensor can endure people direct rub, press on it, which is a nightmare for fragile silicon devices. These good characteristics enable this shear stress sensor promising applications in robotics and virtual operating systems.