Zhanghui Wu

Flexible sensors have emerged as a promising tool in applications ranging from pilot physiological monitoring to motion capture and complex training environments. However, conventional approaches often face inherent limitations, such as susceptibility to electromagnetic interference, instability in humid or sweat-rich conditions, and restricted multifunctional integration. To overcome these challenges, we present a flexible sensor based on a multifunctional MXene/LIG composite structure. By combining surface-modified MXene with laser-induced graphene (LIG), we developed a robust conductive framework characterized by hierarchical porosity. Thanks to this innovative design, the sensor achieves exceptional multifunctional performance. It exhibits high electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of 31.5 dB through synergistic reflection and absorption, demonstrates strong hydrophobicity with a contact angle of 151.1°, and delivers enhanced thermal conductivity. These features enable accurate monitoring of operational movements in simulated cockpit environments while ensuring durable performance under complex aviation requirements. Moreover, this design strategy offers a novel pathway for advancing high-performance flexible sensors, opening new opportunities in wearable electronics, healthcare monitoring, and intelligent human-machine interaction systems.

In the rapidly advancing era of intelligent technology, flexible strain sensors are emerging as a key component in wearable electronics. Laser-induced graphene (LIG) stands out as a promising fabrication method due to its rapid processing, environmental sustainability, low cost, and superior physicochemical properties. However, the stretchability and conformability of LIG are often limited by the substrate material, hindering its application in scenarios requiring high deformation. To address this issue, we propose a high-performance flexible and stretchable strain sensor fabricated by generating graphene on a polyimide (PI) substrate using laser induction and subsequently transferred onto a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The resultant sensor demonstrates an ultra-low detection limit (0.1%), a rapid response time (150 ms), a wide strain range (40%), and retains stable performance after 1000 stretching cycles. Notably, this sensor has been successfully applied to the real-time monitoring of civil aviation test pilots during flight for the first time, enabling the accurate detection of physiological signals such as pulse, hand movements, and blink frequency. This study introduces a unique and innovative solution for the real-time health monitoring of civil aviation test pilots, with significant implications for enhancing flight safety.

Flexible wearable strain sensors demonstrate promising application prospects in health monitoring, human-machine interaction, motion tracking, and the detection of human physiological signals. Although laser-induced graphene (LIG) materials have been extensively utilized in these scenarios, traditional types of LIG sensors are constrained by intrinsic limitations, including discontinuous conductive networks and electromechanical responsive hysteresis. These limitations hinder their applications in micro-strain detection scenarios. Consequently, enhancing the performance of LIG-based sensors has become a crucial priority. To address this challenge, we developed a novel MXene/LIG composite featuring optimized conductive networks and interfacial coupling effects through the systematic enhancement of LIG. The flexible strain sensor fabricated using this composite exhibits exceptional performance, including an ultra-low sheet resistance of 14.1 Ω, a high sensitivity of 20.7, a micro-strain detection limit of 0.05%, and a rapid response time of approximately 65 ms. These improvements significantly enhance electromechanical responsiveness and strain detection sensitivity. Furthermore, the sensor exhibits remarkable stability under varying tensile strains, particularly showing outstanding repeatability across 2500 cyclic tests. Notably, when applied to the pilot health monitoring scenarios, the MXene/LIG-based sensor demonstrates robust capability in detecting body movement signals such as micro-expressions and joint movements. This establishes a novel and highly effective technological solution for the real-time monitoring of pilots’ motion states during operational scenarios.