Ultrasensitive soft vibration sensors based on atomically thin metal dichalcogenide ribbon networks.

Abstract

The rapid progress of artificial intelligence (AI) and the internet of things (IoT) has driven growing demand for high-performance, skin-compatible vibration sensors capable of capturing subtle physiological and environmental signals. Low-dimensional materials offer unique advantages in sensitivity and flexibility, yet challenges remain in achieving high strain responsiveness, mechanical robustness, and large-area uniformity. Here, we report an ultrasensitive, low-profile, and stretchable vibration sensor based on large-area single-layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) ribbon networks (SLRNs) grown via a vapor-liquid-solid mechanism. Embedding SLRNs within a thermoplastic elastomer [styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS)] yields record-high sensitivity among MoS₂-based sensors, with gauge factors up to 5300 at <1.6% strain. This response arises from nanocrack-mediated electron transport induced by the thermal expansion mismatch between MoS₂ and SEBS. The ~6-micrometer-thick sensors detect vibrations and acoustic signals over a wide frequency range (>500 hertz), enabling deconvolution of complex stimuli. This work establishes a path toward ultrathin, ultrasensitive wearable sensors for health care and robotic applications.