How Semiconductors Help Devices Mimic Human Sensory Abilities
By John Oncea, Editor
Long the backbone of electronics, semiconductors are finding new uses in the development of electronic noses and tongues.
Electronics have been around, more or less, since the early 1900s when Sir John Fleming invented the vacuum tube. Some might argue the birth of electronics occurred two years earlier with Peter Cooper Hewitt’s invention of the mercury arc rectifier to convert alternating current into direct current but, as with so many technological developments, it’s difficult to single out one “a-ha” moment.
Regardless of how it began, electronics developed in fits and starts. This included 1920s research on applying thyratrons – a type of gas-filled tube used as a high-power electrical switch and controlled rectifier – as well as Uno Lamm’s and Julius Edgar Lilienfeld’s development of a mercury valve with grading electrodes and proposal of the concept of a field-effect transistor, respectively.
Then, in 1947, Walter H. Brattain and John Bardeen invented the bipolar point-contact transistor under the direction of William Shockley at Bell Labs. Though the history of semiconductors dates back to the 1800s, it was this invention – for which the three were awarded a Nobel Prize seven years later – that combined with the rise of silicon to usher in the semiconductor age.
By the 1950s, higher-power semiconductor diodes became available and started replacing vacuum tubes. In 1956, the silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) was introduced by General Electric, increasing the range of power electronics applications.
The late 20th century saw the integration of sensors into everyday electronics thanks to miniaturization, and the development of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) in the 1990s allowed sensors to detect motion, pressure, and light at microscopic scales, paving the way for today’s multifunctional devices.
The past 20 years witnessed advances in AI chips, quantum computing, and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography that helped make semiconductors the backbone of computing, telecommunications, AI, and advanced manufacturing.
Semiconductors are, in addition to these traditional uses, helping pave the way for electronic noses and tongues. Yep, you read that right.
The Cornerstone Of Modern Sensory Technologies
A pivotal shift occurred in the 2020s with the introduction of organic semiconductors and flexible electronics, writes Asia Research News. These materials, compatible with biological interfaces, allowed sensors to conform to human skin or textiles while detecting chemical and mechanical stimuli.
By 2024, breakthroughs in optoelectronic systems and synthetic neurons demonstrated that semiconductors could not only sense but also process information hierarchically – mirroring the human nervous system. This helped to cement semiconductors as the cornerstone of modern sensory technologies, enabling devices to emulate human senses with increasing sophistication.
These advancements in materials science, optoelectronics, and neuromorphic engineering have accelerated progress in replicating vision, touch, smell, taste, and hearing. These innovations are transforming robotics, wearables, and healthcare, bridging the gap between biological and artificial perception systems, ScienceDaily writes.
For instance, Listverse reports that electronic noses and tongues use arrays of sensors made from semiconductor materials to detect and analyze complex chemical mixtures. These devices convert chemical interactions into electrical signals that computers can interpret to identify specific flavors or odors.
The electronic nose, for example, is used in quality control processes within the food, beverage, and cosmetics industries. It assesses the aroma profiles of products to ensure consistency and quality. Similarly, electronic tongues are utilized to evaluate the taste of food and beverages, detect pollutants in water, and even diagnose diseases through saliva analysis in the medical field.
This technology offers a high level of precision and repeatability, making it a valuable tool for industries where taste and smell are crucial. By repurposing semiconductor technology in this manner, we can gain a deeper understanding and better control of flavors and fragrances, enhancing product development and safety across various sectors.
Mimicking Human Senses: Current Technologies
Recent optoelectronic devices replicate the human eye’s ability to process light and motion in real time. According to Tech Xplore, researchers developed a vision-mimicking sensor that integrates sensing, memory, and processing on a single chip. This system uses layered organic semiconductors to detect edges, colors, and patterns, enabling applications in autonomous robotics and adaptive imaging.
Key features:
- Dynamic range matching human retinal cells.
- Low-power operation (≤1.2V).
- Real-time object recognition without external processors.
Advances in semiconductor fibers and synthetic neurons have revolutionized tactile sensing:
- Smart textiles embedded with molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) fibers detect pressure, strain, and temperature. These fabrics mimic skin’s sensitivity, enabling wearables to monitor health metrics or assist in physical therapy.
- Organic electrochemical neurons (OECNs) process tactile signals in real time. In a 2025 breakthrough, researchers integrated OECNs with artificial synapses to create a robotic hand that adjusts grip strength based on surface texture – akin to human touch.
Semiconductor-based e-noses and e-tongues now detect volatile compounds and flavors at parts-per-billion concentrations. A 2025 study demonstrated a fiber sensor that identifies ammonia (NH₃) and pH changes – critical for diagnosing infections or monitoring food safety. These systems use redox-reactive materials to convert chemical signals into electrical outputs.
While less emphasized in recent studies, MEMS microphones and accelerometers in smartphones already surpass human hearing range and spatial detection. Emerging research focuses on neuromorphic audio processors that filter noise contextually, mimicking the brain’s auditory cortex, writes Electropages.
Challenges And Future Directions
Several challenges exist in the field of sensory emulation, starting with power efficiency. High-resolution sensors demand energy-dense batteries, limiting portability. Organic semiconductors offer low-voltage operation but face stability issues.
Sensor fusion is another challenge as combining inputs from multiple senses (e.g., touch + vision) requires advanced AI, which current chips struggle to execute in real time. Finally, durability remains an issue as flexible sensors degrade under repeated mechanical stress, reducing lifespan compared to biological systems.
As these complications are resolved, sensory emulation will expand to include neural integration by combining synthetic neurons with biological tissues for seamless prosthetics. Another advancement will be the creation of autonomous robotics by embedding multisensory chips in robots for real-time environmental interaction. Finally, biodegradable sensors will serve as transient devices for medical implants that dissolve after use.
Recent progress underscores semiconductors’ transformative role in bridging human and machine perception. From optoelectronic eyes to self-aware textiles, these technologies are redefining human-machine collaboration – ushering in an era where devices not only sense but understand their surroundings.