Abstract
Room-temperature liquid metal has been widely used in flexible and stretchable sensors, focusing on embedding liquid metal in microchannels, liquid metal microdroplets formation, captive sensors, and liquid metal nanoparticles, etc. In this paper, a facile Eutectic Galium-Indium (EGaln) liquid-based microfluidic high-sensitivity, skin-mountable, and ultra-soft stretchable sensor is developed. It comprises Ecoflex microfluidic assembly filled with EGaln, which serves as the working fluid of the stretchable sensor. The lithography method is applied to achieve microfluidic channel. The microfluidic channel is optimized by using topology method and finite element analysis, making this device with high conformability and high stretchability. This method achieved an outstanding effect on elastomer-encapsulated strain gauge, which displays an approximately linear behavior with a gauge factor (GF). The GF could reach as high as 4.95 when the strain ultimately reached 550%. Applications of detection of the joints, fingers, and wrists has been conducted and showed excellent results. This work can further facilitate the exploration and potential realization of a functional liquid-state device technology with superior mechanical flexibility and conformability.
Highlights
Flexible and stretchable sensors have attracted substantial attention due to their unique characteristics, such as low modulus, light weight, high flexibility, and stretchability[1,2,3,4,5,6]
eutectic gallium-indium (EGaln) is an alloy of gallium and indium that can maintain a liquid state at room temperature
We have demonstrated a flexible and stretchable EGaln microchannel sensor
Summary
Flexible and stretchable sensors have attracted substantial attention due to their unique characteristics, such as low modulus, light weight, high flexibility, and stretchability[1,2,3,4,5,6]. We explore the GF influence factors, and design a reasonable microfluidic channel to increase the GF of stretchable and flexible sensor. The way of EGaln is injected into the microfluidic channel of Ecoflex elastomer is used to offer a sensor with high stretchability, high conformability.
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.
