Functional nanomaterials can be integrated into functional sensing devices using advanced microscale additive manufacturing techniques to create a range of flexible and stretchable sensors, including those aimed at biomedical or clinical applications. For example, a combination of aerosol-jet printing and 3d printing can be used to fabricate both bio-piezoelectric interfaces for sensing and stimulation of cells, as well as functionalised conformable microfluidic force sensors for use in precision joint replacement surgery. The ability to control properties of materials at the nanoscale through processing allows for their subsequent integration into novel functional devices through additive manufacturing.

Historically we have not answered society’s challenges as creatively as possible because only a  subsection of the population was available. But we know that diverse approaches result in better outcomes; Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Cathy Foley outlines the benefits of using our full human potential to solve problems and she will weave her story of what it takes to develop sensor systems using diverse teams.

Day by day environmental monitoring is getting more and more essential due to the continuous rise in human activities especially in the direction of industrial and technological developments. With these developments, the demand of highly efficient sensing device is also rising. In this talk, I am presenting metal oxides nanostructures (nanowires, nanotubes, surface functionalized nanowires and heterostructures) for environmental monitoring. To develop these nanostructures, different growth and characterization techniques were used. Finally, the sensing response of these nanostructures were examined under different gas analytes. Strategies to improve sensitivity and selectivity of metal oxide chemical sensors were applied. For example, selectivity of ZnO nanowires toward acetone were improved after functionalizing with APTES monolayers.

The rapid development of electronic skins has allowed novel multifunctional human–machine interaction interfaces, especially in motion interaction sensors. Although motion sensing is widely used in advanced flexible electronic devices through the integration of single sensing units, the number of electrodes has increased with the increase in integration by the square multiple. This talk will focus on self-powered electronic skin based on triboelectric effect, start with high performance TENG based hybrid nanogenerator, then multi-functional active sensors and actuators based on the same principle, including the method to mimic human skin with stretch ability and conductivity. Furthermore, biocompatibility, self-healing and humidity-resistance are also stated. Finally, some demonstrations of self-powered e-skin, for example, skin-on-chip, smart watch, health monitor patch, will be introduced. The perspective of this field will be discussed in the last.