Soft science 

About: Soft science is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Supply chain & Empirical research. It has an ISSN identifier of 1001-8409. Over the lifetime, 783 publications have been published receiving 1333 citations.

Recent progress in flexible tactile sensor systems: from design to application

Abstract: With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, human-machine interaction, and healthcare systems, flexible tactile sensors have huge market potentials and research needs, so that both fundamental research and application demonstrations are evolving rapidly to push the potential to reality. In this review, we briefly summarize the recent progress of the flexible tactile sensor system, including the common sensing mechanisms, the important performance evaluation parameters, the device design trend, and the main applications. Moreover, the current device design trend towards flexible tactile sensor systems is discussed, including novel structures for outstanding performance, sensor arrays for large-area information acquisition, multi-mode information acquisition, and integration of tactile sensors with transistors. Various emerging applications enabled with these sensors are also exemplified in this review to show the potentials of the tactile sensors. Finally, we also discuss the technical demands and the future perspectives of flexible tactile sensor systems.

Tattoo-like epidermal electronics as skin sensors for human machine interfaces

Abstract: Flexible electronic skin (e-skin) has been successfully utilized in diverse applications, including prosthesis sensing, body-motion monitoring and human-machine interfaces, due to its excellent mechanical properties and electrical characteristics. However, current e-skins are still relatively thick (> 10 μm) and uncomfortable for long-term usage on the human body. Herein, an ultrathin skin-integrated strain sensor with miniaturized dimensions, based on the piezoresistive effect, with excellent stability and robustness, is introduced. The fractal curve-shaped Au electrode in a serpentine format, which is the dominant component of the strain sensor, is sensitive to ambient strain variations and can turn the mechanical motion into a stable electrical signal output. With the advanced design of metallic electrodes, the device presents good operational stability and excellent mechanical tolerance towards bending, stretching and twisting. The stain sensor allows intimate mounting onto the human epidermal surface for the detection of body motion. By adopting a liquid bandage as an encapsulation layer, the device exhibits an ultrathin thickness (6.2 μm), high sensitivity towards mechanical deformations and capability for the clear Page 2 of Wong et al. Soft Sci 2021;1:10 https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/ss.2021.09 11 detection of motion, such as walking, finger bending and the human pulse rate with identifiable electrical signals. Furthermore, the tattoo-like strain sensor is applied in robotic control by tracing finger bending motion and results in the smooth control of a robotic hand nearly without any detention. This e-skin design exhibits excellent potential for wearable electronics and human-machine interfaces.

Research on the Vendor Evaluation and Selection Based on AHP and TOPSIS in Green Supply Chain

Abstract: Based on the connotation of green supply chain,this paper presents a model for the evaluation and selection of the green supplier with the combination of AHP and TOPSIS.At last,an example is given to evaluate the feasibility of the model.

The Relationship between Work Motivation and Individual Innovation Behavior

Abstract: This empirical study explores the relationship between work motivation and individual innovative behavior of Chinese employees. 391 employees responded to the survey. After clarifying the constructs of individual innovative behavior and work motivation, the study conducts structural equation modeling to examine how work motivation influences individual innovative behavior. The result indicates that intrinsic motivation has positive effect on both innovative idea generation and innovative idea implementation, and extrinsic motivation has positive effect only on innovative idea implementation.

Soft materials for wearable supercapacitors

Abstract: Along with the rapid progress of wearable and portable electronic devices including electrical sensors, flexible displays, and health monitors, there is an ever-growing demand for wearable power sources. Supercapacitors, as a new kind of energy storage device, have received considerable attention for decades due to their high power density, excellent cycling stability, and easy fabrication. To fulfill the demand of wearable power sources, wearable supercapacitors are also further developed and studied. New electrode materials that play a significant role in determining both the wearability and electrochemical performance of wearable supercapacitors are also extensively explored. Herein, the recent progress on wearable soft electrode/electrolyte materials and the structure design strategies for developing wearable supercapacitors are summarized. Additionally, the existing challenges in current technologies and research are highlighted and discussed with the hope of inspiring future studies.