In this study, published in Microsystems & Nanoengineering, the team, led by NYU Abu Dhabi Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering Mohammad A. Qasaimeh, designed multichannel soft sensors that can measure a wide range of forces, from very light contact to stronger gripping, in real time. The sensors are made from soft silicone with tiny channels filled with liquid metal. When pressure is applied, the channels deform slightly, allowing the system to detect and measure force.

To demonstrate the technology, the researchers integrated the sensors into a laparoscopic grasper. One sensor was placed on the handle to measure the force applied by the surgeon, while another was placed on the tool’s jaw to measure how it interacts with tissue.