3-D graphene aerogel sphere-based flexible sensors for healthcare applications

Abstract Graphene aerogel spheres (GASs), as one of the world’s lightest materials, is promising for constructing high-performance flexible sensors. Here, we demonstrated the capability of this material for sensing temperature, pressure and material elasticity. Our sensor exhibits an excellent temperature sensing property with a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of 2.2 % C−1, 5 times larger than that of commercial resistance thermometers. Due to the 3-D spherical shape, the GAS can detect forces in 360° from all directions. The GAS-based sensors exhibit an enhanced sensitivity of 0.15 kPa-1, response and relaxation times of approximately 100 ms likely due to the unique micro/nanostructures of the GASs. Extraordinary cycling stability and long working life were also demonstrated even after large deformation. Assembling GASs with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a flexible sensor was achieved with a large dynamic range from 4 mN to 2 N covering almost three orders of magnitudes. Moreover, we demonstrated three healthcare applications of GASs-based flexible sensors such as tissue elasticity sensing, finger posture sensing, and kinetic physiological signal monitoring.

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