A Flexible Wearable Thin-Film Piezoelectric Haptic Actuator Based
on PVDF
The investigation of flexible tactile actuators is
valuable due to their potential to fundamentally transform
current human-machine interaction experience. Here, we
present a flexible wearable thin-film piezoelectric tactile
actuator based on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). By adjusting
the amplitude and frequency of the input voltage, different
vibration tactile stimuli could be provided. Compared with
traditional actuators, this PVDF piezoelectric tactile actuator
exhibits significant performance advantages, characterized by
its lightweight construction and low power consumption.
Specifically, the article comprehensively addresses the
structural design, working principle, performance testing, and
fingertip perception characteristics of the tactile system. Besides,
experimental results also show that the designed actuator has
high sensitivity and fast response characteristics, effectively
generating perceptible tactile feedback. Finally, as a proof of
concept, we demonstrate that the proposed actuators could be
designed into a haptic feedback system, as an example of virtual
reality/augmented reality (VR/AR), achieved with a high degree
of perceptibility (> 90%) in actual user experience.
Index Terms- Haptic actuator, Flexible wearable, Piezoelectric,
PVDF
Intelligent Music Assistance Products
The investigation of flexible tactile actuators is
valuable due to their potential to fundamentally transform
current human-machine interaction experience. Here, we
present a flexible wearable thin-film piezoelectric tactile
actuator based on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). By adjusting
the amplitude and frequency of the input voltage, different
vibration tactile stimuli could be provided. Compared with
traditional actuators, this PVDF piezoelectric tactile actuator
exhibits significant performance advantages, characterized by
its lightweight construction and low power consumption.
Specifically, the article comprehensively addresses the
structural design, working principle, performance testing, and
fingertip perception characteristics of the tactile system. Besides,
experimental results also show that the designed actuator has
high sensitivity and fast response characteristics, effectively
generating perceptible tactile feedback. Finally, as a proof of
concept, we demonstrate that the proposed actuators could be
designed into a haptic feedback system, as an example of virtual
reality/augmented reality (VR/AR), achieved with a high degree
of perceptibility (> 90%) in actual user experience.
Index Terms- Haptic actuator, Flexible wearable, Piezoelectric,
PVDF
Haptic Actuator and Digital Music Game
Flavorgraphy
Flavorgraphy is a continuation of Scentgraphy's smell project. Flavorgraphy is a taste information project using cocktail as the medium. The audience can get a cup of their own flavor cocktail in real time by taking photos of themselves. The project aims to use computer vision to identify and analyze character images and emotions, and to connect gustatory with emotions and personal information, much like primitive cameras or phonographs, to gustatory the audience's immediate state. People's senses are interconnected, and taste is not only associated with memory but also a way of communicating with the world. We associate color and scene with taste and build a database of taste. Flavorgraphy uses computer vision recognition and big data technology to create a real-time cocktail based on human information and environmental changes. The Flavorgraphy project explores a way to calculate, simulate and transfer flavors through the conversion of visual information to taste information. Based on cocktail flavoring technology, flavors calculated in real time provide interesting interactions, immersive experiences and multi-sensory associations, a preliminary exploration of taste informatization.
Study on the Olfactory Landscape of the Shichahai Area in Beijing
Odor, as a type of non-visual perception, has received relatively little attention. However, with the exacerbation of urbanization and environmental pollution, people have become more concerned about the odors in urban air. This study aims to explore the relationship between odors and cities, and to demonstrate how odors and locations are linked through design. We hope to contribute positively to urban development by visualizing odors in a form of olfactory landscape, focusing on the Shichahai area in Beijing. Odor-related data were collected through olfactory walks, and then visualized through odor maps, to gain insights into the distribution and characteristics of odors in urban landscapes. This approach can provide comprehensive information for urban planning, ensuring the livability of urban spaces and the quality of life of residents.
Wearable Supportive Data Glove via High-Sensitivity Ultra-Soft Curvature Sensor for Hand Rehabilitation
Data glove enables the evaluation of patients’ rehabilitation progress and assists physicians in devising more effective rehabilitation plans. Flexible sensors being applied in data glove could provide a more flexible and adaptable experience, making the rehabilitation process more personalized and comfortable. Herein, a utltra-soft curvature sensor-based textile data glove is reported, equipped with a built-in LED light trigger system, aiming to assessing patients’ hand function under emotional support. Consequently, the as-developed curvature sensor exhibits high sensitivity (gauge factor (GF) of 0.59), wide detection range (0~180 degree), low hysteresis (2.46%), high stability(loading: 3.28%, unloading: 4.29%), and low fabrication cost, through continuous optimization of the microchannel patterns. In addition, this paper proposes to integrate a real-time feedback mechanism: different signal amplitudes could cause the LED light to undergo color changes: red-yellow-green, into the acquisition system to enhance the emotionally interaction experience between patients and data glove. On this basis, a wearable data glove based on the provided curvature sensors is produced successfully, and it is great as wearable electronics in the field of hand function rehabilitation.
Enhancing Hand Rehabilitation Through Interactive Design
The demand for hand rehabilitation services is increasing currently, and there are many choices of hand rehabilitation products available on the market. Here, we report a flexible curvature sensor-based data glove, equipped with a built-in light trigger system, which is expected to provide active signal feedback for better human machine interface experience. By analyzing user needs and leveraging advancements in human-computer interaction, this new design not only facilitates physical recovery but also fosters a sense of ownership and motivation among patients. The incorporation of real-time feedback mechanisms further amplifies the efficacy of the rehabilitation process, propelling patients toward greater independence and self-assurance. Specially from an emotional point of view，the elements, such as functionality, design, color, material, and human-computer interaction, based on user needs, would be analyzed to summarize some core requirements. Then the performance of hand movements is integrated into the rehabilitation process through visual feedback to address the problem of monotony during training. This design can leverage the feedback mechanism between visual cues and hand movements, enhancing the sensory interaction experience between individuals and the product. Finally, it is proved by experiment this proposed design is very potential to help improve patients’ motivation and self-efficacy in training, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of rehabilitation. By combining these elements, we believed that the design is expected to make up some emotional support for better human machine interface experience.Scentgraphy
The work is meant to discuss the real-time computing, duplication and storage of sensory experiences on the foundation of the conversion of sensory information and the transmission of sensory information. The work was initially designed and fabricated at the end of 2017, went through three upgrades and iterative experiments, two exhibitions and won a prize. The discussion of the user study was conducted with an audience interview in the exhibitions.This part presents an analysis of the interactive installation of “Scentgraphy," which is able to compute, interpret, simulate and store scents behind the scenes. This part presents an analysis of the interactive installation of “Scentgraphy," which is able to compute, interpret, simulate and store scents behind the scenes. The experimental method combines the results of the first two experiments, and realizes the generation of new sensory information by converting sensory information and transmitting sensory information. It acts like an original camera or a gramophone that captures and saves pictorial memories. It not only enriches interactive experiences but also establishes a closer relationship with the combination of smell, vision and emotion. Meanwhile, scentgraphy also provides an interesting interaction that is conducive for an immersive experience of breathing aromatherapy. This project explores new experiences regarding the senses, sensory boundaries and the storage and reproduction of the sense of smell. Based on ancient perfumery techniques, a closer bond is developed between memory and the sense of smell. The scentgraphy project explored a way for the computing, simulation, and telecommunication of odors through visual and olfactory conversion. This is a preliminary exploration of olfactory informationization, and this research ensures that the feasibility of converting visual, olfactory and digital odors can be widespread and applied both in media and information technology.
Wearable Haptic Feedback Actuator for Fingers to Enhance VR Immersive Experiences
This paper presents a flexible wearable haptic actuator based on polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) that can be used in VR environments. The actuator utilises the inverse piezoelectric effect of PVDF to achieve vibration feedback through specific structural design and circuit control. The main materials include PDMS, PVDF, TPU, and PI, with well-defined dimensions and lamination. The circuit consists of a Wifi module, a microcontroller unit (MCU), an on- off module consisting of an optocoupler and a high-voltage metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), and a HV DC high-voltage power supply, which generates high-voltage pulsed square-wave signals to drive the vibration of the PVDF, and controls the current in a safe range, with the addition of a PDMS film as a protective layer. The software design is based on Meta Quest3 usingUnity3d to create a VR application scenario of underwater exploration, demonstrating the application of haptic actuators. We conducted subjective discrimination experiments to verify the usability of the haptic actuator with an average correctness rate of 94.06%. In addition, we conducted human-computer interaction experiments to verify the applicability of the haptic actuator. When the user touches a virtual object or a virtual dialogue, the host computer controls the actuator device through a microcontroller, and by adjusting the amplitude and frequency of the input voltage, different vibrotactile stimuli can be provided to improve the user's VR immersion. Compared with traditional haptic feedback devices, this PVDF piezoelectric haptic actuator has significant performance
advantages such as lightweight structure and low power consumption.