Ti3C2Tx MXene-based dielectric elastomer haptic actuators with folded multilayer for human-machine interaction

Low-voltage operation below 500 V enabled by synergistic material-structural design. • Integrated MXene/PDMS composite achieves high dielectric constant, and folded multilayer structure for amplifies deformation. • The haptic actuator delivers 102 μm displacement and 103 mN force without pre-stretching. • Haptic array enables precise tactile pattern generation with 97.71% Braille recognition accuracy. • Wearable, flexible design with wireless control enables immersive VR texture simulation. Haptic feedback is crucial for immersive virtual and augmented reality, relying on soft actuators for natural and comfortable human-machine interaction. Dielectric elastomer actuators are promising for haptic feedback applications, owing to their advantageous properties including lightness, flexibility, and high power density. However, their low dielectric constant frequently necessitates the application of high operating voltages, thus making them prone to dielectric breakdown. Here, we propose a Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene-based multilayer-folded dielectric elastomer haptic actuator operating at a low voltage enabled by an integrated materials and device design strategy. The haptic actuators feature a dielectric film with a high dielectric constant (above 6.39 at 1 kHz) achieved by incorporating Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), combined with a uniquely folded multilayer structure that accumulates deformation. The haptic actuator can deliver an out-of-plane displacement of 102 μm and a force of 103 mN without pre-stretching. A haptic display interface incorporating these actuators enables independent actuation that operates at a low voltage below 500 V. It supports various tactile patterns, such as Braille and texture simulation in virtual reality, offering a viable pathway toward immersive human-machine interactions. Download: Download high-res image (248KB) Download: Download full-size image