Hebei University of Technology

Despite extensive development of flexible pressure sensors, it is still difficult for them to simultaneously achieve high precision and a large response to subtle pressures. To address these challenges, this work demonstrates a flexible pressure sensing platform that features the reduced graphene oxide aerogel sandwiched between a polydimethylsiloxane encapsulation layer and a thin polyimide film with interdigital electrodes. The resulting pressure sensor exhibits a high sensitivity of 698.96 kPa −1 and a low limit of detection (~ 1 Pa), and outstanding stability over 20,000 loading/unloading cycles. Besides monitoring various physiological signals and human motions, the flexible pressure sensors can be configured into an array layout as a smart artificial electronic skin to recognize the spatial pressure distribution. The flexible pressure sensor can also be integrated with signal processing and wireless communication modules as a teleoperation system for gesture recognition, force feedback control, and kitchen food recognition, highlighting future potential toward smart robotics and human–machine interfaces.

The development of stable and efficient luminescent organic radicals for sensing applications remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of two novel fluorescent probes, TTM-BPA and TTM-Phen, based on a tris(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)methyl (TTM) radical core functionalized with N,N-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)aniline (BPA) and 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) moieties, respectively. Both radical probes exhibit intense, deep-red emission that is remarkably insensitive to solvent polarity, a desirable feature for robust sensing applications. The introduction of extended π-conjugated systems dramatically enhanced their photostability by over 300-fold compared to the parent TTM radical. Leveraging the coordination capabilities of the pyridine-based ligands, these probes demonstrate excellent performance as selective chemosensors. TTM-BPA acts as a specific "turn-off" fluorescent probe for ferric ions (Fe³⁺) and protons (H⁺), with detection limits of 4.4 μM and 0.65 μM, respectively. TTM-Phen selectively detects both Fe³⁺ and ferrous ions (Fe²⁺) with high sensitivity, achieving detection limits of 1.3 μM and 0.92 μM. The sensing mechanism is attributed to fluorescence quenching via an electron transfer process upon coordination with the target analytes. Practical applications have shown that TTM-BPA and TTM-Phen can be used for fluorescence imaging of Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺, as well as for the detection of iron ions in tap water. This work not only presents a new class of highly stable, deep-red emitting radical probes but also provides a versatile platform for the development of advanced sensors for biologically and environmentally important species.

Hydrogen sulfide, as a critical endogenous gasotransmitter, plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, respiratory dysfunctions, and cancer. The dynamic fluctuations in hydrogen sulfide concentration are closely associated with the onset and progression of these conditions. The precise monitoring of trace amounts of hydrogen sulfide in biological samples holds substantial value for elucidating disease mechanisms, developing diagnostic biomarkers, and enabling targeted therapies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current advancements in hydrogen sulfide detection technologies in medical applications, with a particular focus on the groundbreaking potential of novel spectroscopic techniques in medical diagnostics. This paper through an integrated research approach that bridges hydrogen sulfide biology, sensing technology, and clinical applications—particularly by utilizing breath and skin gas analysis as windows into metabolic and disease states. A core innovation presented in this work is the proposed optimization of the hydrogen sulfide-quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy technique for medical settings, which provides a transformative tool for non-invasive disease screening, precise detection, and targeted therapeutic research. The ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between basic research, sensor technology, and clinical needs, driving innovative applications of hydrogen sulfide in precision medicine.