A highly sensitive pressure sensor using conductive composite elastomers with wavy structures

Rujie Sun, Xiao-Chong Zhang, Jonathan Rossiter, Fabrizio Scarpa*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

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Abstract

Flexible pressure sensors are crucial components for the next generation wearable devices to monitor human physiological conditions. In this paper, we present a novel resistive pressure sensor based on hybrid composites made from carbon nanotube (CNT) for the conductive coating layer and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomers as the substrate. The high sensitivity of these sensors is attributed to the change of contact resistance caused by the variation of the contact areas between the wavy film and the electrodes. Porous electrodes were designed to increase the roughness of the interfaces, thus further enhancing the pressure sensitivity. The developed device was verified through a series of tests, and the sensor exhibited a high sensitivity of 2.05 kPa-1 under a low pressure of 35.6 Pa.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
EditorsBrian Cullum, Douglas Kiehl, Eric McLamore
PublisherSociety of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)
Number of pages6
Volume9863
ISBN (Print)9781510601048
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 May 2016
EventSmart Biomedical and Physiological Sensor Technology XIII - Baltimore, United States
Duration: 18 Apr 201619 Apr 2016

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE
PublisherSociety of Photo-optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)
Volume9863
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceSmart Biomedical and Physiological Sensor Technology XIII
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBaltimore
Period18/04/1619/04/16

Research Groups and Themes

  • Tactile Action Perception

Keywords

  • Contact resistance
  • Nanocomposites
  • Porous electrodes
  • Pressure sensor
  • Wavy structure

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