Switchable noncontinuous circuits for all pressure-range-sensitive units

Achieving high sensitivity of pressure-responsive devices across a wide detection range using a single device remains a challenge. Here, we present a straightforward fabrication of a robust, tunable, economical, and highly sensitive pressure-responding unit. It is built on a switchable noncontinuous circuit design, where conductive routes are pre-disconnected through 3D distribution control of conducting material inside an elastic porous skeleton. The concept is realized by rotationally vortexing colloidal suspended carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into the elastic melamine sponge, producing an internal CNT distribution gradient architecture. External pressure stimuli initiate reconnection of conductive pathways by structure deformation and reduce overall resistance based on gradual circuit rebuilding. Parallel assembly of multiple units into one device to respond to a wide pressure range makes this design suitable for human motion detection as well as detecting random animals’ free passage. This design should further progress the current pressure-responsive devices and facilitate its practical applications.