Abstract
High-performance flexible pressure sensors have great application prospects in numerous fields, including the robot skin, intelligent prosthetic hands and wearable devices. In the present study, a novel type of flexible piezoresistive sensor is presented. The proposed sensor has remarkable superiorities, including high sensitivity, high repeatability, a simple manufacturing procedure and low initial cost. In this sensor, multi-walled carbon nanotubes were assembled onto a polydimethylsiloxane film with a pyramidal microarray structure through a layer-by-layer self-assembly system. It was found that when the applied external pressure deformed the pyramid microarray structure on the surface of the polydimethylsiloxane film, the resistance of the sensor varied linearly as the pressure changed. Tests that were performed on sensor samples with different self-assembled layers showed that the pressure sensitivity of the sensor could reach , which ensured the high dynamic response ability and the high stability of the sensor. Moreover, it was proven that the sensor could be applied as a strain sensor under the tensile force to reflect the stretching extent or the bending object. Finally, a flexible pressure sensor was installed on five fingers and the back of the middle finger of a glove. The obtained results from grabbing different weights and different shapes of objects showed that the flexible pressure sensor not only reflected the change in the finger tactility during the grasping process, but also reflected the bending degree of fingers, which had a significant practical prospect.
Highlights
With the development of technology and market requirements, high-performance flexible pressure sensors have been widely used in numerous applications, including robot skin [1,2], intelligent prosthetic hands [3,4], special operation robots [5,6], service robots and wearable devices [7,8]
The multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) layer-by-layer self-assembly process was a key step in the fabrication of the intermediate piezoresistive layer of the pressure sensor
It indicates that the clamp of the pressure gauge can be changed to adjust the applied force in both directions
Summary
With the development of technology and market requirements, high-performance flexible pressure sensors have been widely used in numerous applications, including robot skin [1,2], intelligent prosthetic hands [3,4], special operation robots [5,6], service robots and wearable devices [7,8]. Zhenan Bao’s research group [21] applied field effect transistors to capacitive sensor design and integrated a thin film with a microarray structure into an organic field effect transistor (FET) as a dielectric layer, presenting a new type of active sensor device with a reasonable sensitivity and response time. They showed that this method could produce a large area and highly flexible electronic skin so that the excellent sensitivity could detect the ultra-light pressure of a butterfly at stopping. Lipomi et al [22] used a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
