Research Overview
Flexible and Stretchable Electronics
Mechanical compliance including flexibility and stretchability is a key feature of soft electronic devices for wearable or biomedical applications. We have developed several types of flexible and stretchable electronic devices such as bioinspired flexible pressure sensor array, paper keyboard, 1D stretchable sensors, etc. Based on the plentiful experience and expertise in flexible/stretchable electronics, we are extending our research to soft robotics, actuators, and wearable robotics.
Bio-inspired flexible pressure sensor array
Paper keyboard based on flexible sensors
Kang, Lee et al. Advanced Electronic Materials (2016)
Lee et al. Small (2017)
Wearable Sensors - Textile electronics; Human-Machine Interfaces
Based on fiber-based electronic sensors, various wearable electronics, particularly electronic textile, can be implemented. Simply by sawing the fiber-based mechanical sensors into typical textiles, gloves, and clothes, smart gloves which can wirelessly control a drone and robot can be successfully developed. Real-time pressure sensing textiles for monitoring shape and weigth of a passenger on a chair is another application of fiber sensors. In addition, numerous awesome applications will be demonstrated by SoBiLab.
Smart gloves (Human-machine interfaces
for Human-Machine interfaces
Smart clothes for wearable sensing
Drone-controlling smart glove
Robot-controlling smart glove
Wearable EMG systems for robot control
Lee et al. Advanced Materials (2015)
Lee et al. ACS NANO (2018)
Lee et al. NPG Asia Materials (2016)
Kim et al. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces (2021)
Healthcare-, Biosensors - Implantable electronics; Electronic sutures
1D fiber-based electronic devices have a unique advantage in biomedical or implantable applications thanks to the structural feature. Nevertheless, fiber electronics has been barely investigated in biomedical applications. SoBiLab aims to successfully apply 1D soft electronic devices to biomedical applications and bridge previous biomedical/implantable soft electronics with clinical applications. Several relevant projects are ongoing. Join us!
Bioresorbable electronics
Electroceutical devices
In-vivo strain sensing electronic suture
pH-sensing for wound monitoring
Lee et al. Nature Electronics (2021)
Lee et al. Advanced Science (2023)
Lee et al. Nanoscale (2021)
1D Soft Sensors - Fiber Electronics
It has been practically difficult to apply previous planar (2D) electronic devices to complex (1D or 3D) structures of various wearable applications mainly due to the structural mismatch in between. In particular, textile electronics, one of main directions for future wearable electronics, greatly demands a new type of electronic device with superior compliance with textiles and better deformability. Fiber electronics is a perfect candidate for achieving the future wearable electronics and smart textiles! SoBiLab has world-leading expertise in fiber electronics, especially for sensor technology.
Fiber-based pressure sensor
Fiber heater
Fiber strain sensor
Stretchable conductive fiber
Lee et al. Advanced Materials (2015)
Lee et al. ACS NANO (2018)
Soft Robotic System with Interactive Sensing
One of the key requirements for soft robotic systems is the sensing feedback control of soft actuators, which is essential for their reliable operation in dynamic environments. In this context, the proprioceptive or interactive sensing capabilities of a soft robotic system become crucial for practical, real-world applications. Our group is dedicated to developing various state-of-the-art soft sensing technologies tailored for these systems. Ultimately, our goal is to seamlessly integrate these sensing technologies into wearable and soft robotic systems, creating a synergy with our wearable and implantable sensing systems.
Proprioceptive soft robot system
Self-sensing fiber actuator
for wearable robotics