Non‐oxidized graphene/elastomer composite films for wearable strain and pressure sensors with ultra‐high flexibility and sensitivity

A high-performance, sensitive, low-cost LIG/PDMS strain sensor for impact damage monitoring and localization in composite structures

Health monitoring of composite structures in aircraft is critical, as these structures are commonly utilized in weight-sensitive areas and innovative designs that directly impact flight safety and reliability. Traditional monitoring methods have limitations in monitoring area, strain limit, and signal processing. In this paper, a multifunctional sensor has been developed using acid-treated laser-induced graphene (A-LIG) with a multi-layer three-dimensional conductive network. Compared to untreated laser-induced graphene, the sensitivity of A-LIG sensor is increased by 100%. Furthermore, PDMS is used to fill the pores, which improves the fatigue performance of the A-LIG sensor. To obtain clear monitoring results, a data conversion algorithm is provided to convert the electrical signal obtained by the sensor into a strain field contour cloud map. The impact test of the A-LIG/PDMS sensor on the carbon fiber panel of the aircraft wing box segment verifies the effectiveness of its strain sensing. This work introduces a novel approach to fabricating flexible sensors with improved sensitivity, extended strain range, and cost-effectiveness. The sensor exhibits high sensitivity (gauge factor,GF≈ 387), is low hysteresis (∼53 ms), and has a wide working range (up to 47%), and a highly stable and reproducible response over multiple test cycles (>18 000) with good switching response. It presents a promising and innovative direction for utilizing flexible sensors in the field of aircraft structural health monitoring.

Graphene-based strain sensor with sandwich structure and its application in bowel sounds monitoring

Surgery is one of the primary treatment modalities for gastrointestinal tumors but can lead to postoperative ileus (POI), which can aggravate pain and increase costs. The incidence of POI can be effectively reduced by monitoring bowel sounds to assist doctors in deciding the timing of transoral feeding. In this study, we prepared a flexible strain sensor based on a graphene composite material and tested the feasibility of sensor monitoring of bowel sounds using simultaneous stethoscope and sensor monitoring. We found that the time of hearing the bowel sounds (12.0–12.1 s) corresponded to the time of waveform change monitored by the sensor (12.036 s), and the sound tone magnitude corresponded to the waveform amplitude. This proves that the application of sensors to monitor bowel sounds is feasible, which opens up a new field for the application of graphene sensors and provides a new way for clinicians to judge the condition of the intestine.

Combining medicine and materials science. First application of graphene strain sensors for monitoring bowel sounds

Graphene-based temperature, humidity, and strain sensor: A review on progress, characterization, and potential applications during Covid-19 pandemic

Graphene's potential as material for wearable, highly sensitive and robust sensor in various fields of technology has been widely investigated until now in order to capitalize on its unique intrinsic physical and chemical properties. In the wake of Covid-19 pandemic, it has been noticed that there are various potentials roles that can be fulfilled by graphene-based temperature, humidity and strain sensor, whose roles has not been widely explored to date. This paper takes the liberty to mainly highlight the progress layout and characterization technique for graphene-based sensor while including a brief discussion on the possible strategy of sensing data analysis that can be employed to minimize and prevent the risk of Covid-19 infection within a living community. While majority of the reported sensor is still in the in-progress status, its highlighted role in this work may provide a brief idea on how the ongoing research in graphene-based sensor may lead to the future implementation of the device for routine healthcare check-up and diagnostic point-care during and post-pandemic era. On the other hand, the sensitivity and response time data against working temperature, humidity and strain range that are provided could serve as a reference for benchmarking purpose, which certainly would help enthusiast in the development of a graphene-based sensor with a better performance for the future.

Thermal conductivity and mechanical performance of hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets-based epoxy adhesives

Thermosets possess diverse physical and chemical properties and thus they are widely used in various applications such as electronic packaging, construction, and automotive industries. However, their poor thermal conductivity and weak mechanical performance jeopardize their continual spread in modern industry. In this study, boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) were employed to promote both mechanical and thermal properties of epoxy nanocomposites. BNNSs and their epoxy nanocomposites were fabricated usingin situsolvent ultrasonication andin situpolymerization, respectively. Thermal conductivity was enhanced by 153% increment in epoxy/BNNS nanocomposite at 7 wt% in comparison with neat epoxy. In parallel, Young's modulus, lap shear strength, fracture toughness (K_1C) and energy release rate (G_1C) increased by 69%, 31%, 122% and 118%, respectively at 1 wt% BNNSs. Moreover, fatigue life and strength of lap shear joints were significantly improved upon adding BNNSs. A numerical model of the single lap shear joint was developed to validate the accuracy of the material constants obtained. Epoxy/BNNS nanocomposites exhibited an outstanding mechanical performance as well as high thermal conductivity giving them merits to widen their applications in electronic and automotive industry.

Comparative Study of Nanocarbon-Based Flexible Multifunctional Composite Electrodes

Although nanocarbon-based nanofillers have been widely used to improve the energy-storing and sensing functions of porous materials, the comparison of the effects of different nanocarbon-based fillers on the capacitive and flexible sensing properties of nanocarbon-based porous sponge composite supercapacitor electrodes by combining a carbon nanotube, graphene, and graphene oxide with porous sponge is incomplete. The specific capacitance of carbon nanotube-based electrodes is 20.1 F/g. The specific capacitance of graphene-based electrodes is 26.7 F/g. The specific capacitance of graphene oxide-based electrodes is 78.1 F/g, and the capacity retention rate is 92.99% under 20 000 charge-discharge cycles. Under a bending load of 180°, the capacitance retention rate of graphene oxide sponge composite electrodes is 67.46%, which indicates that the prepared electrodes of supercapacitor have the advantages of high capacitance and good flexibility at the same time. To demonstrate their performance, an array of three graphene oxide supercapacitors in series was constructed, which could light up a red light-emitting diode (LED). The tensile strength of carbon nanotube sponge composite electrodes is 0.267 MPa, and the tensile linearity is 0.0169. The experimental results show that graphene oxide-based sponge composite supercapacitor electrodes have the best capacitance performance and carbon nanotube sponge composites have the most potential as a flexible sensor.

Review of Graphene-Based Textile Strain Sensors, with Emphasis on Structure Activity Relationship

Graphene-based textile strain sensors were reviewed in terms of their preparation methods, performance, and applications with particular attention on its forming method, the key properties (sensitivity, stability, sensing range and response time), and comparisons. Staple fiber strain sensors, staple and filament strain sensors, nonwoven fabric strain sensors, woven fabric strain sensors and knitted fabric strain sensors were summarized, respectively. (i) In general, graphene-based textile strain sensors can be obtained in two ways. One method is to prepare conductive textiles through spinning and weaving techniques, and the graphene worked as conductive filler. The other method is to deposit graphene-based materials on the surface of textiles, the graphene served as conductive coatings and colorants. (ii) The gauge factor (GF) value of sensor refers to its mechanical and electromechanical properties, which are the key evaluation indicators. We found the absolute value of GF of graphene-based textile strain sensor could be roughly divided into two trends according to its structural changes. Firstly, in the recoverable deformation stage, GF usually decreased with the increase of strain. Secondly, in the unrecoverable deformation stage, GF usually increased with the increase of strain. (iii) The main challenge of graphene-based textile strain sensors was that their application capacity received limited studies. Most of current studies only discussed washability, seldomly involving the impact of other environmental factors, including friction, PH, etc. Based on these developments, this work was done to provide some merit to references and guidelines for the progress of future research on flexible and wearable electronics.

Multifunctional, durable and highly conductive graphene/sponge nanocomposites

Porous functional materials play important roles in a wide variety of growing research and industrial fields. We herein report a simple, effective method to prepare porous functional graphene composites for multi-field applications. Graphene sheets were non-chemically modified by Triton^®X-100, not only to maintain high structural integrity but to improve the dispersion of graphene on the pore surface of a sponge. It was found that a graphene/sponge nanocomposite at 0.79 wt.% demonstrated ideal electrical conductivity. The composite materials have high strain sensitivity, stable fatigue performance for 20 000 cycles, short response time of 0.401 s and fast response to temperature and pressure. In addition, the composites are effective in monitoring materials deformation and acoustic attenuation with a maximum absorption rate 67.78% and it can be used as electrodes for a supercapacitor with capacitance of 18.1 F g^-1. Moreover, no expensive materials or complex equipment are required for the composite manufacturing process. This new methodology for the fabrication of multifunctional, durable and highly conductive graphene/sponge nanocomposites hold promise for many other applications.