A Self‐Powered Tactile Sensor Resistant to Environmental Interference

Abstract

Abstract Developing advanced tactile sensors is important for cutting‐edge applications such as human‐machine interaction. However, the current tactile sensing technology primarily exploits triboelectrification, which is inherently susceptible to ambient interference, obstructing their real‐world applications. Herein, a robust tactile sensing platform is presented that leverages piezoelectrics for mechano‐optoelectronic transduction. A new class of ScBO 3 :Cr 3+ crystals is developed that can produce intense broadband near‐infrared light under sole mechanical pressure through self‐recoverable mechanoluminescence (ML). Through a combinatorial doping strategy, deliberate modulation of ML profile is achieved across a broad wavelength range with a precision down to ≈1 nm and a full width at half maximum up to ≈273 nm. This effect allows maximal optoelectronic conversion using a basic silicon photodiode free of ambient interference. These findings enable a fast‐response (≈20 ms) and low‐threshold (≈kPa level) tactile stylus that can accurately authenticate signatures with the aid of machine learning algorithms in complex environments presenting moisture and light interference.