Prospective Elasto-Plastic Pressure Sensors : All-Elasto-Plastic Polyisoprene/Nanostructured Carbon Pressure Sensing Element

Abstract

Our further achievements in the design, processing and studies of physical properties of elastomer – nano-structured carbon composites as prospective compressive strain sensor materials for robotic tactile elements as well as for other automatic systems are presented. Composites made of polyisoprene matrix and high-structure carbon nanoparticle filler have been designed and manufactured to develop polymer nano-composites for flexible, entirely polymeric pressure sensing elements. Electrical resistance of the composites as a function of mechanical strain and pressure is studied. SEM pictures of cross-section surface of sensing elements are analyzed