Professor Wanjun Park of the Department of Electronic Engineering is an expert in the field of semiconductor devices, spin electronics and sensors. Park studies to develop innovative electronictechnology that can help improve our lives. Specifically, in his recent paper, “A Tactile Sensor Using a Graphene Flm Formed by the Reduced Graphene Oxide Flakes and its Detection of Surface Morphology,” Park showed the process of creating a tactile sensor, a sensor that can imitate the human’s sense of touch, with electric devices. Internet Hanyang News (IHN) met with Park to further discuss his tactile sensor introduced in his paper.

In order to create a sensor that is similar to human touch, the sensor needs to be flexible, like human skin. It is difficult to make a sensor pliable, since there aren’t many possible limber units. To overcome this, Park used two sheets of single layer graphene, a two-dimensional matter in which carbon atoms make up one flat surface. As there are two flexible layers, the sensor is able to perceive the strength of touch, by measuring how the surface bends and how the two sheets of graphene meet depending on the resistance of the stimuli. These two layers make the sensor much more responsive to very small stimulants.

Not only the sensitivity, but to design a sensor that is as delicate as the human touch, Park also needed to find a way to recognize texture. Thus, Park added an extra layer, which was shaped like the human fingerprint. As the fingerprint has regular bumps, the sensor is able to recognize the lumps on the surface. Depending on the frequency of the bumps, the sensor can also perceive texture. While there are many sensors that can perceive force, it is not easy to create sensors that can identity surface irregularity. As Park’s sensor is extra sensitive to force and is able to detect texture, Park’s sensor has become closer to human touch than other sensors in the past.

Park says that the development of this sensor can contribute to many fields. “As this sensor is aimed to resemble the human sense, when fully developed, it may be used for artificial human skin. Moreover, it can be used for virtual reality. For instance, when one is shopping at home, he or she may be able to sense the texture of the product by using this sensor.” The final example Park mentioned was robot surgery. “These days, doctors can use robots to perform surgery, using an endoscope camera. When this sensor is added to the robot, doctors will be able to perform a much more delicate surgery since the robot’s sense will be more similar to a human’s than before.” Park explained.

As for his further studies, Park hopes to make the sensor recognize exactly the kind of texture it is touching. “When the sensor touches a surface, it sends signals as to the frequency of irregularity. When such data about irregularity of each kind of surface is collected, the sensor will be able to recognize the specific type of texture that it is touching.” Park described. Park will continue his research and study to upgrade his sensor. Lastly, Park gave advice to university students through his interview with IHN. “I always tell my students to find what they sincerely wish to do in their life while they are in university. University is a time to plan one’s future and specify career goals. Students should research their area of interest, and prepare for the future that they want and achieve it.” Park concluded.