Gallium‐Based Thin Films for Wearable Human Motion Sensors

Laurent Dejace,Nathan Laubeuf,Stéphanie P. Lacour,Ivan Furfaro

doi:10.1002/aisy.201900079

Abstract

Wearable electronic circuits based on the films of gallium and its alloys offer promising implementations in health monitoring and gaming sensing applications. However, the complex rheology of liquid metals makes it challenging to manufacture thin gallium‐based devices with reliable, reproducible, and stable properties over time. Herein, the surface coating and topography of silicone substrates are engineered to enable precisely defined, micrometer‐thick liquid metal patterns over large (>10 cm2) surface areas, and high design versatility. Control over the film microstructure meets manufacturing conditions that enable gallium films with a precise, repeatable, and durable electromechanical performance. The robustness and applicability of this technology in a virtual‐reality scenario is demonstrated by implementing thin, soft, and stretchable gallium‐based sensors to accurately monitor human hand kinematics.

Highlights

Wearable electronic circuits based on the films of gallium and its alloys offer and offer high handling safety, a promising implementations in health monitoring and gaming sensing applications
The robustness and applicability of this technology in a virtual-reality scenario is demonstrated by implementing thin, soft, and stretchable galliumtension of gallium prevents the formation of homogeneous films on silicone carriers[21] and hinders the control of the electrical properties at rest and under mechanical deformation
Gallium-based liquid metals have emerged as candidate materials that combine high stretchability with low gauge factor and high electrical conductivity.[4]

Summary

Introduction

Wearable electronic circuits based on the films of gallium and its alloys offer and offer high handling safety, a promising implementations in health monitoring and gaming sensing applications. The robustness and applicability of this technology in a virtual-reality scenario is demonstrated by implementing thin, soft, and stretchable galliumtension of gallium prevents the formation of homogeneous films on silicone carriers[21] and hinders the control of the electrical properties at rest and under mechanical deformation. Thylsiloxane (PDMS), thin and uniform liquid metal films are patterned by thermal evaporation and form stretchable electrical conductors (Figure 1a).

Results

Conclusion