Development of a Hybrid Piezo Natural Rubber Piezoelectricity and Piezoresistivity Sensor with Magnetic Clusters Made by Electric and Magnetic Field Assistance and Filling with Magnetic Compound Fluid.

Kunio Shimada,Norihiko Saga

doi:10.3390/s17020346

Kunio Shimada, Norihiko Saga

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/s17020346

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Abstract

Piezoelements used in robotics require large elasticity and extensibility to be installed in an artificial robot skin. However, the piezoelements used until recently are vulnerable to large forces because of the thin solid materials employed. To resolve this issue, we utilized a natural rubber and applied our proposed new method of aiding with magnetic and electric fields as well as filling with magnetic compound fluid (MCF) and doping. We have verified the piezoproperties of the resulting MCF rubber. The effect of the created magnetic clusters is featured in a new two types of multilayered structures of the piezoelement. By measuring the piezoelectricity response to pressure, the synergetic effects of the magnetic clusters, the doping and the electric polymerization on the piezoelectric effect were clarified. In addition, by examining the relation between the piezoelectricity and the piezoresistivity created in the MCF piezo element, we propose a hybrid piezoelement.

Highlights

Many types of sensors are currently used in many different fields
Most sensors, including thermocouples and strain gauges, require a power supply in order for the electric signal of temperature or strain to be responsive to the voltage or electric current applied to the sensor
In the present study, we propose a new piezoelement made of natural rubber that uses a magnetic compound fluid (MCF) [24]

Summary

Introduction

Many types of sensors (force, temperature, pressure, etc.) are currently used in many different fields. Most sensors, including thermocouples and strain gauges, require a power supply in order for the electric signal of temperature or strain to be responsive to the voltage or electric current applied to the sensor. Piezoelements have the distinguishing feature that they can sense an induced voltage without a power supply. Because in robot construction extra weight is very undesirable, power supplies should be avoided when possible, so in robotics, piezoelements are generally suitable for sensing force or pressure. A piezoelement must be suitable for use in the artificial skin, which has large elasticity and extensibility, installed as an outer layer on robots. It is expected that in the future, robots will become a part of our lives as domestic help for chores, and in the nursery, hospital, etc

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