Research Projects

Humanoid robots, especially those with artificial intelligence, are useful in daily tasks and high-risk environments like space. The artificial nociceptors play a vital role in enabling these robots to gather information from the outside world, monitor the potential dangers, and thereby prolong both their performance and operational lifespan. In the biological sensory system, the nociceptor is a crucial sensory receptor that detects harmful stimuli—such as mechanical stress, toxic chemical agents, or extreme temperatures—and generates a warning signal (action potential). This signal is transmitted to the central nervous system, triggering a motor response aimed at reducing or preventing potential physical damage. The nociceptor activates only when the electric pulse produced by an external stimulus exceeds a specific threshold value. Currently, humanoid robots use tactile sensors based on traditional CMOS technology to detect physical interaction. However, mimicking key nociceptor functions like no-adaptation, relaxation, and sensitization would require complex CMOS circuits. Additionally, CMOS devices are vulnerable to radiation, limiting their reliability in harsh environments. Notably, J. Joshua Yang and his team first reported an artificial nociceptor based on diffusion memristors. Subsequently, researchers explored artificial nociceptors based on materials such as metal oxides, organic materials, two-dimensional materials, and organic/inorganic halide perovskites. Here, we proposed an artificial nociceptor built upon a single two-terminal memristor by incorporating two-dimensional (2D) MXene-based materials. They possess outstanding electrical, thermal, and mechanical characteristics derived from their MAX phase parent compounds. MXenes occur in many forms, e.g., single metal transition component structures (Ti3C2Tx, Ti2NTx, Ti2CTx, V2CTx, etc.), ordered double metal transition MXenes (i.e., Mo2TiC2Tx, Cr2TiC2Tx, etc.), solid MXenes solution (i.e., Ti3CNTx), and ordered divacancy MXenes (Mo1.33CTx, W1.33CTx, etc). MXenes hold significant promise for a wide range of applications, including electronics, semiconductors, sensors, optoelectronics, energy storage devices, catalysis, batteries, biomedical fields, structural and functional materials, wearable technologies, and electromagnetic applications. Additionally, free-standing MXene films exhibit electrical conductivity levels similar to those of graphene. MXenes are among the most promising 2D nanomaterials owing to their unique combination of optical transparency, hydrophilic nature, and tunable conductivity, making them a promising candidate for realising bioinspired artificial nociceptors. .The project aims to: • Synthesise and characterise MXene-based nanocomposite films with tailored surface properties. • Evaluate their electrical and tactile response and develop a prototype artificial nociceptor The novelty of this proposal lies in the integration of MXene’s tunable surface properties with the design of a simple tactile sensing architecture, capable of mimicking human nociceptive functions in real time. The significance lies in enabling threshold-triggered artificial nociceptive systems that go beyond conventional CMOS-based architectures, and contributing to the development of low-cost, scalable technologies in alignment with national priorities like Make in India. Anticipated outcomes include new insights into the structure-property-function relationship in MXene-based systems, a working model of a tactile nociceptor, and potential applications in intelligent robotics, biomedical prosthetics, and wearable electronics. This work will also open up new avenues for exploring 2D materials in cognitive sensory systems, thus contributing meaningfully to both fundamental nanoscience and applied device research.