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Kim et al. Soft Sci 2024;4:12 Soft Science
DOI: 10.20517/ss.2023.50

Perspective Open Access

Coupled mechanics in skin-interfaced electronics

via computer vision methods

Jin-Tae Kim 1,#,* , Leonardo P. Chamorro 2,3,4,5,#,*
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea.
2
Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
3
Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
4
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
5
Department of Geology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
#
Authors contributed equally.
* Correspondence to: Dr. Jin-Tae Kim, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology,
50, Jigok-ro 127beon-gil, Nam-gu, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea. E-mail: kjt516@gmail.com; Dr. Leonardo P. Chamorro,
Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, 1206 W Green St, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. E-mail:
lpchamo@illinois.edu
How to cite this article: Kim JT, Chamorro LP. Coupled mechanics in skin-interfaced electronics via computer vision methods.
Soft Sci 2024;4:12. https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/ss.2023.50
Received: 8 Nov 2023 First Decision: 8 Dec 2023 Revised: 15 Dec 2023 Accepted: 12 Jan 2024 Published: 21 Feb 2024
Academic Editors: Zhifeng Ren, Sang Min Won Copy Editor: Pei-Yun Wang Production Editor: Pei-Yun Wang

Abstract
Recent advancements in materials and mechanics have paved the way for transforming rigid circuits into flexible
electronics. Their ability to laminate onto the skin has led to the development of skin-interfaced electronics,
including mechano-acoustic sensors and haptic systems. However, the challenges of the coupled mechanics
between the skin and skin-interfaced electronics call for further understanding of biomechanics, bioelectronics, and
their interactions. This perspective article highlights the emerging trend of employing computer vision methods to
optimize the next generation of skin-interfaced electronics by characterizing associated biomechanics and vice
versa. The cyclic research process involves the development of soft electronics, the identification of coupled
mechanics, and their quantification using computer vision methods. The article describes state-of-the-art
computer vision techniques in the context of skin-interfaced electronics and their potential applications in other
forms of soft electronics.

Keywords: Soft electronics, skin-interfaced electronics, mechano-acoustic sensors, haptic interfaces, computer
vision

© The Author(s) 2024. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, sharing,
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