Development of a Novel and Flexible MWCNT/PDMS Based Resistive Force Sensor

A novel multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based resistive force sensor was fabricated using screen printing and laser-pattering processes for detecting various applied forces. The electrodes for the force sensor was developed by depositing silver (Ag) ink on a flexible polyimide substrate using screen printing process. The honey comb structured and unstructured active sensing layers of the force sensors were prepared by laser patterning the MWCNT/PDMS composite. A surface roughness of $1.65 \pm 0.10 \mu\mathrm{m}$ and $0.43 \pm 0.08 \mu\mathrm{m}$ was measured for the printed electrodes and MWCNT/PDMS, respectively. The capability of the printed sensor was investigated by subjecting it to varying forces ranging from 0 N (no force) to 20 N. The results demonstrated an overall relative resistance change of ~19% and ~5% for the force sensors with honey comb structured and un structured active layers. The fabrication method and sensor responses are analyzed and presented in this paper.

[1]  B. Narakathu,et al.  Development of a Fluorinated Graphene-Based Resistive Humidity Sensor , 2020, IEEE Sensors Journal.

[2]  S. Masihi,et al.  A Novel Printed Fabric Based Porous Capacitive Pressure Sensor For Flexible Electronic Applications , 2019, 2019 IEEE SENSORS.

[3]  A. K. Bose,et al.  A Flexible Triboelectric Nanogenerator Fabricated Using Laser-Assisted Patterning Process , 2019, 2019 IEEE SENSORS.

[4]  A. K. Bose,et al.  Highly Sensitive Screen Printed Strain Gauge for Micro-Strain Detection , 2019, 2019 IEEE International Conference on Flexible and Printable Sensors and Systems (FLEPS).

[5]  A. K. Bose,et al.  Novel Printed Carbon Nanotubes Based Resistive Humidity Sensors , 2019, 2019 IEEE International Conference on Flexible and Printable Sensors and Systems (FLEPS).

[6]  A. K. Bose,et al.  Design, Simulation and Fabrication of A Novel MEMS Based Pulsometer , 2018, Proceedings.

[7]  B. B. Narakathu,et al.  Development of printed and flexible dry ECG electrodes , 2018, Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research.

[8]  B. B. Narakathu,et al.  A carbon nanotube based NTC thermistor using additive print manufacturing processes , 2018, Sensors and Actuators A: Physical.

[9]  B. B. Narakathu,et al.  P1FW.5 - A Fully Printed CNT Based Humidity Sensor on Flexible PET Substrate , 2018 .

[10]  Sung-Jin Choi,et al.  Highly transparent tactile sensor based on a percolated carbon nanotube network , 2018, AIP Advances.

[11]  B. B. Narakathu,et al.  Printed strain sensor based on silver nanowire/silver flake composite on flexible and stretchable TPU substrate , 2018 .

[12]  S. Mariani,et al.  Flexible Polydimethylsiloxane Foams Decorated with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Enable Unprecedented Detection of Ultralow Strain and Pressure Coupled with a Large Working Range. , 2018, ACS applied materials & interfaces.

[13]  Oh Seok Kwon,et al.  Surface engineered poly(dimethylsiloxane)/carbon nanotube nanocomposite pad as a flexible platform for chemical sensors , 2018 .

[14]  Jae-Won Seo,et al.  Simple and cost-effective method of highly conductive and elastic carbon nanotube/polydimethylsiloxane composite for wearable electronics , 2018, Scientific Reports.

[15]  Rocco Vertechy,et al.  Fabrication and Test of an Inflated Circular Diaphragm Dielectric Elastomer Generator Based on PDMS Rubber Composite , 2017, Polymers.

[16]  J. Coleman,et al.  Sensitive electromechanical sensors using viscoelastic graphene-polymer nanocomposites , 2016, Science.

[17]  E. Sardini,et al.  Mechanical behavior of strain sensors based on PEDOT:PSS and silver nanoparticles inks deposited on polymer substrate by inkjet printing , 2016 .

[18]  B. B. Narakathu,et al.  Development of flexible dry ECG electrodes based on MWCNT/PDMS composite , 2015, 2015 IEEE SENSORS.

[19]  B. B. Narakathu,et al.  A stretchable and wearable printed sensor for human body motion monitoring , 2015, 2015 IEEE SENSORS.

[20]  B. B. Narakathu,et al.  Screen printed MWCNT/PDMS based dry electrode sensor for electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements , 2015, 2015 IEEE International Conference on Electro/Information Technology (EIT).

[21]  Lim Wei Yap,et al.  Highly Stretchy Black Gold E‐Skin Nanopatches as Highly Sensitive Wearable Biomedical Sensors , 2015 .

[22]  Olfa Kanoun,et al.  Printed MWCNT-PDMS-Composite Pressure Sensor System for Plantar Pressure Monitoring in Ulcer Prevention , 2015, IEEE Sensors Journal.

[23]  B. B. Narakathu,et al.  Screen printed flexible capacitive pressure sensor , 2014, IEEE SENSORS 2014 Proceedings.

[24]  I. Park,et al.  Highly stretchable and sensitive strain sensor based on silver nanowire-elastomer nanocomposite. , 2014, ACS nano.

[25]  Tushar K. Ghosh,et al.  Polymer Nanocomposites Containing Carbon Nanofibers as Soft Printable Sensors Exhibiting Strain‐Reversible Piezoresistivity , 2013 .

[26]  B. B. Narakathu,et al.  A novel fully printed and flexible capacitive pressure sensor , 2012, 2012 IEEE Sensors.

[27]  Stefan Maas,et al.  Shear stresses in honeycomb sandwich plates: Analytical solution, finite element method and experimental verification , 2012 .

[28]  Jae Hee Lee,et al.  Shear induced CNT/PDMS conducting thin film for electrode cardiogram (ECG) electrode , 2012, BioChip Journal.

[29]  Sang-Hoon Lee,et al.  CNT/PDMS Composite Flexible Dry Electrodesfor Long-Term ECG Monitoring , 2012, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.

[30]  Dmitriy A. Khodakov,et al.  Surface modification for PDMS‐based microfluidic devices , 2012, Electrophoresis.

[31]  J. Callow,et al.  Amphiphilic block copolymer/poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) blends and nanocomposites for improved fouling-release , 2011, Biofouling.

[32]  B. B. Narakathu,et al.  Printed capacitive based humidity sensors on flexible substrates , 2011 .

[33]  C. Hu,et al.  Resistance-pressure sensitivity and a mechanism study of multiwall carbon nanotube networks/poly(dimethylsiloxane) composites , 2008 .

[34]  Elgar Fleisch,et al.  Flexible-foam-based capacitive sensor arrays for object detection at low cost , 2008 .

[35]  Rui Zhang,et al.  Universal resistivity-strain dependence of carbon nanotube/polymer composites , 2007 .

[36]  C. Baratto,et al.  Functionalized Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes Based Gas Sensor , 2006, 2006 5th IEEE Conference on Sensors.

[37]  M. Atashbar,et al.  Carbon nanotube network-based biomolecule detection , 2006, IEEE Sensors Journal.

[38]  M. Atashbar,et al.  Comparative studies of temperature dependence of G-band peak in single walled carbon nanotube and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite , 2005 .

[39]  Sung-Pil Chang,et al.  Demonstration for integrating capacitive pressure sensors with read-out circuitry on stainless steel substrate , 2004 .

[40]  G. Whitesides,et al.  Solvent compatibility of poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based microfluidic devices. , 2003, Analytical chemistry.

[41]  J. E. Bauerle,et al.  Interpretation of the resistivity temperature dependence of high purity (ZrO2)0.90(Y2O3)0.10 , 1968 .

[42]  B. B. Narakathu,et al.  Fully Printed Flexible Humidity Sensor , 2011 .

[43]  B. Ziaie,et al.  Introduction to Micro-/Nanofabrication , 2010 .

[44]  M. Atashbar,et al.  Carbon nanotube based biosensors , 2004, Proceedings of IEEE Sensors, 2004..