Abstract
The severe crosstalk effect is widely present in tactile sensor arrays with a sandwich structure. Here we present a novel design for a resistive tactile sensor array with a coplanar electrode layer and isolated sensing elements, which were made from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) doped with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for crosstalk suppression. To optimize its properties, both mechanical and electrical properties of PDMS/MWCNT-sensing materials with different PDMS/MWCNT ratios were investigated. The experimental results demonstrate that a 4 wt% of MWCNTs to PDMS is optimal for the sensing materials. In addition, the pressure-sensitive layer consists of three microstructured layers (two aspectant PDMS/MWCNT-based films and one top PDMS-based film) that are bonded together. Because of this three-layer microstructure design, our proposed tactile sensor array shows sensitivity up to −1.10 kPa−1, a response time of 29 ms and reliability in detecting tiny pressures.
Highlights
Tactile sensors are used to detect subtle changes in the ambient environment and measure mechanical contacts with objects
Combined with the pressure distribution measurement system, a printed multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)–PDMS composite pressure sensor proposed by Gerlach et al.[30] is promising to avoid unhealthy rollover patterns by monitoring the plantar pressure
This study presents a novel design for a PDMS/MWCNT-based resistive tactile sensor array to enhance the electrical isolation of each sensing element by separating them from each other in the same plane, which effectively solves the crosstalk problem
Summary
Tactile sensors are used to detect subtle changes in the ambient environment and measure mechanical contacts with objects. Because of the inherent stiffness of conventional piezoresistive materials, many piezoresistive tactile sensors are fabricated with the combination of flexible polymer materials such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polyimide. Their sensitivities are relatively low and require more deformation of microstructures under the same force[21]. A layered tactile sensor design[23] based on nanoscale mechanical interlocking between metalcoated nanofibers has been demonstrated to detect different types of loadings such as pressure, shear, and torsion. This study presents a novel design for a PDMS/MWCNT-based resistive tactile sensor array to enhance the electrical isolation of each sensing element by separating them from each other in the same plane, which effectively solves the crosstalk problem. As the Au electrode layer is created on parylene as the polymer carrier, the sensor array has good flexibility and can be applied in various applications
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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.
