2 research outputs found
Highly Stretchable and Transparent Microfluidic Strain Sensors for Monitoring Human Body Motions
We report a new class of simple microfluidic strain sensors with
high stretchability, transparency, sensitivity, and long-term stability
with no considerable hysteresis and a fast response to various deformations
by combining the merits of microfluidic techniques and ionic liquids.
The high optical transparency of the strain sensors was achieved by
introducing refractive-index matched ionic liquids into microfluidic
networks or channels embedded in an elastomeric matrix. The microfluidic
strain sensors offer the outstanding sensor performance under a variety
of deformations induced by stretching, bending, pressing, and twisting
of the microfluidic strain sensors. The principle of our microfluidic
strain sensor is explained by a theoretical model based on the elastic
channel deformation. In order to demonstrate its capability of practical
usage, the simple-structured microfluidic strain sensors were performed
onto a finger, wrist, and arm. The highly stretchable and transparent
microfluidic strain sensors were successfully applied as potential
platforms for distinctively monitoring a wide range of human body
motions in real time. Our novel microfluidic strain sensors show great
promise for making future stretchable electronic devices
Highly Sensitive Piezocapacitive Sensor for Detecting Static and Dynamic Pressure Using Ion-Gel Thin Films and Conductive Elastomeric Composites
A new
class of simple and highly sensitive piezocapacitive sensors that
are capable of detecting static and dynamic pressure changes is reported.
The pressure sensor structure is formed by vertically sandwiching
a sandpaper-molded carbon nanotube/polyÂ(dimethylsiloxane) composite
(CPC) dielectric layer between two ion-gel thin film electrodes. Such
a capacitive sensor system enables the distinguishable detection of
directional movement of applied pressure as well as static pressure
variation by modulating ion distribution in the ion-gel thin films.
The resulting capacitive pressure sensors exhibit high sensitivity
(9.55 kPa<sup>–1</sup>), high durability, and low operating
voltage (0.1 V). Our proposed pressure sensors are successfully applied
as potential platforms for monitoring human physiological signals
and finger sliding motions in order to demonstrate their capability
for practical usage. The outstanding sensor performance of the pressure
sensors can permit applications in wearable electronic devices for
human–machine connecting platforms, health care monitoring
systems, and artificial skin