Ultrasensitive Flexible Pressure Sensors with Broad Linear Detection Range Enabled by Magnetically Induced Self-Assembled Parallel Circuit

Flexible pressure sensors have attracted intensive interest for promising applications in healthcare monitoring and flexible electronic devices. Nonetheless, designing flexible pressure sensors to achieve both ultrahigh sensitivity (>1000 kPa⁻¹) and an extensive linear range (>50 kPa) poses a significant challenge. In this study, a facile magnetic-facilitated self-assembly parallel circuit strategy to prepare high-performance flexible pressure sensors in Nickel particles/polydimethylsiloxane (Ni/PDMS) matrices is proposed. The optimized magnetic-induced Ni/PDMS piezoresistive sensor (MANPS) exhibits an ultrahigh sensitivity of 3707 kPa⁻¹ over a wide broad linear range (0–80 kPa), and excellent durability with the capability of withstanding 2000 pressure cycles. The MANPS is able to detect a broad range of pressures from pulse to plantar pressures (≈60 kPa), demonstrating great potential for whole-body healthcare monitoring. Additionally, the sensor is further assembled into an array configuration (2 × 5 pixels) for the assessment of plantar pressure distribution. Importantly, the sensitivity and linear range of the MANPS can be readily adjusted by modifying the mixing ratio of the curing agent, thereby significantly broadening its potential applications.