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A Novel Crossbeam Structure with Graphene Sensing Element for N/MEMS Mechanical Sensors. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12122101. [PMID: 35745440 PMCID: PMC9227024 DOI: 10.3390/nano12122101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
A graphene membrane acts as a highly sensitive element in a nano/micro–electro–mechanical system (N/MEMS) due to its unique physical and chemical properties. Here, a novel crossbeam structure with a graphene varistor protected by Si3N4 is presented for N/MEMS mechanical sensors. It substantially overcomes the poor reliability of previous sensors with suspended graphene and exhibits excellent mechanoelectrical coupling performance, as graphene is placed on the root of the crossbeam. By performing basic mechanical electrical measurements, a preferable gauge factor of ~1.35 is obtained. The sensitivity of the graphene pressure sensor based on the crossbeam structure chip is 33.13 mV/V/MPa in a wide range of 0~20 MPa. Other static specifications, including hysteresis error, nonlinear error, and repeatability error, are 2.0119%, 3.3622%, and 4.0271%, respectively. We conclude that a crossbeam structure with a graphene sensing element can be an application for the N/MEMS mechanical sensor.
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Babu VJ, Anusha M, Sireesha M, Sundarrajan S, Abdul Haroon Rashid SSA, Kumar AS, Ramakrishna S. Intelligent Nanomaterials for Wearable and Stretchable Strain Sensor Applications: The Science behind Diverse Mechanisms, Fabrication Methods, and Real-Time Healthcare. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14112219. [PMID: 35683893 PMCID: PMC9182624 DOI: 10.3390/polym14112219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
It has become a scientific obligation to unveil the underlying mechanisms and the fabrication methods behind wearable/stretchable strain sensors based on intelligent nanomaterials in order to explore their possible potential in the field of biomedical and healthcare applications. This report is based on an extensive literature survey of fabrication of stretchable strain sensors (SSS) based on nanomaterials in the fields of healthcare, sports, and entertainment. Although the evolution of wearable strain sensors (WSS) is rapidly progressing, it is still at a prototype phase and various challenges need to be addressed in the future in special regard to their fabrication protocols. The biocalamity of COVID-19 has brought a drastic change in humans’ lifestyles and has negatively affected nations in all capacities. Social distancing has become a mandatory rule to practice in common places where humans interact with each other as a basic need. As social distancing cannot be ruled out as a measure to stop the spread of COVID-19 virus, wearable sensors could play a significant role in technologically impacting people’s consciousness. This review article meticulously describes the role of wearable and strain sensors in achieving such objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veluru Jagadeesh Babu
- NUS Centre for Nanotechnology and Sustainability, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117581, Singapore; (M.S.); (S.S.A.A.H.R.); (S.R.)
- Correspondence: (V.J.B.); (S.S.)
| | - Merum Anusha
- Department of Pharmacology, S V Medical College, Dr NTR University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada 517501, India;
| | - Merum Sireesha
- NUS Centre for Nanotechnology and Sustainability, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117581, Singapore; (M.S.); (S.S.A.A.H.R.); (S.R.)
| | - Subramanian Sundarrajan
- NUS Centre for Nanotechnology and Sustainability, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117581, Singapore; (M.S.); (S.S.A.A.H.R.); (S.R.)
- Correspondence: (V.J.B.); (S.S.)
| | - Syed Sulthan Alaudeen Abdul Haroon Rashid
- NUS Centre for Nanotechnology and Sustainability, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117581, Singapore; (M.S.); (S.S.A.A.H.R.); (S.R.)
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Industrial Chemistry (CAMIC), School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - A. Senthil Kumar
- Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117581, Singapore;
| | - Seeram Ramakrishna
- NUS Centre for Nanotechnology and Sustainability, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117581, Singapore; (M.S.); (S.S.A.A.H.R.); (S.R.)
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Highly Stretchable and Sensitive Multimodal Tactile Sensor Based on Conductive Rubber Composites to Monitor Pressure and Temperature. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14071294. [PMID: 35406168 PMCID: PMC9002470 DOI: 10.3390/polym14071294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Stretchable and flexible tactile sensors have been extensively investigated for a variety of applications due to their outstanding sensitivity, flexibility, and biocompatibility compared with conventional tactile sensors. However, implementing stretchable multimodal sensors with high performance is still a challenge. In this study, a stretchable multimodal tactile sensor based on conductive rubber composites was fabricated. Because of the pressure-sensitive and temperature-sensitive effects of the conductive rubber composites, the developed sensor can simultaneously measure pressure and temperature, and the sensor presented high sensitivity (0.01171 kPa−1 and 2.46–30.56%/°C) over a wide sensing range (0–110 kPa and 30–90 °C). The sensor also exhibited outstanding performance in terms of processability, stretchability, and repeatability. Furthermore, the fabricated stretchable multimodal tactile sensor did not require complex signal processing or a transmission circuit system. The strategy for stacking and layering conductive rubber composites of this work may supply a new idea for building multifunctional sensor-based electronics.
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Chitrakar C, Hedrick E, Adegoke L, Ecker M. Flexible and Stretchable Bioelectronics. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:1664. [PMID: 35268893 PMCID: PMC8911085 DOI: 10.3390/ma15051664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Medical science technology has improved tremendously over the decades with the invention of robotic surgery, gene editing, immune therapy, etc. However, scientists are now recognizing the significance of 'biological circuits' i.e., bodily innate electrical systems for the healthy functioning of the body or for any disease conditions. Therefore, the current trend in the medical field is to understand the role of these biological circuits and exploit their advantages for therapeutic purposes. Bioelectronics, devised with these aims, work by resetting, stimulating, or blocking the electrical pathways. Bioelectronics are also used to monitor the biological cues to assess the homeostasis of the body. In a way, they bridge the gap between drug-based interventions and medical devices. With this in mind, scientists are now working towards developing flexible and stretchable miniaturized bioelectronics that can easily conform to the tissue topology, are non-toxic, elicit no immune reaction, and address the issues that drugs are unable to solve. Since the bioelectronic devices that come in contact with the body or body organs need to establish an unobstructed interface with the respective site, it is crucial that those bioelectronics are not only flexible but also stretchable for constant monitoring of the biological signals. Understanding the challenges of fabricating soft stretchable devices, we review several flexible and stretchable materials used as substrate, stretchable electrical conduits and encapsulation, design modifications for stretchability, fabrication techniques, methods of signal transmission and monitoring, and the power sources for these stretchable bioelectronics. Ultimately, these bioelectronic devices can be used for wide range of applications from skin bioelectronics and biosensing devices, to neural implants for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Melanie Ecker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA; (C.C.); (E.H.); (L.A.)
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Irani FS, Shafaghi AH, Tasdelen MC, Delipinar T, Kaya CE, Yapici GG, Yapici MK. Graphene as a Piezoresistive Material in Strain Sensing Applications. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:119. [PMID: 35056284 PMCID: PMC8779301 DOI: 10.3390/mi13010119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
High accuracy measurement of mechanical strain is critical and broadly practiced in several application areas including structural health monitoring, industrial process control, manufacturing, avionics and the automotive industry, to name a few. Strain sensors, otherwise known as strain gauges, are fueled by various nanomaterials, among which graphene has attracted great interest in recent years, due to its unique electro-mechanical characteristics. Graphene shows not only exceptional physical properties but also has remarkable mechanical properties, such as piezoresistivity, which makes it a perfect candidate for strain sensing applications. In the present review, we provide an in-depth overview of the latest studies focusing on graphene and its strain sensing mechanism along with various applications. We start by providing a description of the fundamental properties, synthesis techniques and characterization methods of graphene, and then build forward to the discussion of numerous types of graphene-based strain sensors with side-by-side tabular comparison in terms of figures-of-merit, including strain range and sensitivity, otherwise referred to as the gauge factor. We demonstrate the material synthesis, device fabrication and integration challenges for researchers to achieve both wide strain range and high sensitivity in graphene-based strain sensors. Last of all, several applications of graphene-based strain sensors for different purposes are described. All in all, the evolutionary process of graphene-based strain sensors in recent years, as well as the upcoming challenges and future directions for emerging studies are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farid Sayar Irani
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul TR 34956, Turkey; (F.S.I.); (A.H.S.); (M.C.T.); (T.D.)
| | - Ali Hosseinpour Shafaghi
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul TR 34956, Turkey; (F.S.I.); (A.H.S.); (M.C.T.); (T.D.)
| | - Melih Can Tasdelen
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul TR 34956, Turkey; (F.S.I.); (A.H.S.); (M.C.T.); (T.D.)
| | - Tugce Delipinar
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul TR 34956, Turkey; (F.S.I.); (A.H.S.); (M.C.T.); (T.D.)
| | - Ceyda Elcin Kaya
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA;
| | - Guney Guven Yapici
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ozyegin University, Istanbul TR 34794, Turkey;
| | - Murat Kaya Yapici
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul TR 34956, Turkey; (F.S.I.); (A.H.S.); (M.C.T.); (T.D.)
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- SUNUM Nanotechnology Research Center, Istanbul TR 34956, Turkey
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Jung S, Kim DY. Noninvasive Flow Monitoring in Simple Flow Phantom Using Resistive Strain Sensors. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21062201. [PMID: 33801114 PMCID: PMC8004077 DOI: 10.3390/s21062201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we introduce a monitoring method for flow expansion and contraction in a simple flow phantom based on electrical resistance changes in an epidermal strain sensor attached to the phantom. The flow phantom was fabricated to have a nonflat surface and small modulus that are analogous to human skin. The epidermal sensors made of polydopamine and polyvinyl alcohol show sufficient linearity (R = 0.9969), reproducibility, and self-adhesion properties, as well as high sensitivity to small modulus measurements (<1% tensile strain). Pulsatile flow monitoring experiments were performed by placing the epidermal sensor on the flow phantom and measuring the relative changes in resistance by the heartbeat. Experiments were conducted for three types of vessel diameters (1.5, 2, and 3 mm). In each of the experiments, the vessels were divided into Top, Middle, and Bottom positions. Experiments for each position show that the relative changes in resistance increase proportionally with the diameter of the vessel. The vessels located close to the epidermal layer have greater relative electrical changes. The results were analyzed using the Bernoulli equation and hoop stress formula. This study demonstrates the feasibility of a noninvasive flow monitoring method using a novel resistive strain sensor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunghun Jung
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea;
| | - Dae Yu Kim
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea;
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Inha Research Institute for Aerospace Medicine, and Center for Sensor Systems, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-32-860-7394
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Sharma S, Singh K, Kumar S, Bhatt K, Dwivedi Y, Rana A, Tripathi CC. Fabrication of reduced graphene oxide modified poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate based transparent conducting electrodes for flexible optoelectronic application. SN APPLIED SCIENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s42452-020-04034-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractPresent article reports on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) modified poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT: PSS) based transparent conducting electrodes for flexible optoelectronic applications. PEDOT: PSS samples embedded with different rGO concentrations i.e. 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 wt% were prepared and later on, bar coated on polyethylene terephthalate substrate using a 30 μm wire size bar. Various parameters including sheet resistance, bending test (outside and inside bending), optical transmittance etc. were estimated. Our analysis indicates that the samples with 1 wt% rGO possess improved results i.e. low sheet resistance (315 ± 8 Ω/sq.) and high transmittance (~ 74%). Additionally, the sample shows low electrical resistance variation up to 12% (maximum increase) during outward bending and 9% (maximum decrease) during inward bending of the sample for bending curvature from 20 to 100 m−1.
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Islam GMN, Collie S, Qasim M, Ali MA. Highly Stretchable and Flexible Melt Spun Thermoplastic Conductive Yarns for Smart Textiles. NANOMATERIALS 2020; 10:nano10122324. [PMID: 33255229 PMCID: PMC7759970 DOI: 10.3390/nano10122324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This study demonstrates a scalable fabrication process for producing biodegradable, highly stretchable and wearable melt spun thermoplastic polypropylene (PP), poly(lactic) acid (PLA), and composite (PP:PLA = 50:50) conductive yarns through a dip coating process. Polydopamine (PDA) treated and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) coated conductive PP, PLA, and PP/PLA yarns generated electric conductivity of 0.75 S/cm, 0.36 S/cm and 0.67 S/cm respectively. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the interactions among the functional groups of PP, PLA, PP/PLA, PDA, and PEDOT:PSS. The surface morphology of thermoplastic yarns was characterized by optical microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The mechanical properties of yarns were also assessed, which include tensile strength (TS), Young’s modulus and elongation at break (%). These highly stretchable and flexible conductive PP, PLA, and PP/PLA yarns showed elasticity of 667%, 121% and 315% respectively. The thermal behavior of yarns was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). Wash stability of conductive yarns was also measured. Furthermore, ageing effect was determined to predict the shelf life of the conductive yarns. We believe that these highly stretchable and flexible PEDOT:PSS coated conductive PP, PLA, and PP/PLA composite yarns fabricated by this process can be integrated into textiles for strain sensing to monitor the tiny movement of human motion.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. M. Nazmul Islam
- Centre for Bioengineering & Nanomedicine, Department of Food Science, Division of Sciences, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; (G.M.N.I.); (M.Q.)
| | - Stewart Collie
- Bioproduct & Fiber Technology, AgResearch, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand;
| | - Muhammad Qasim
- Centre for Bioengineering & Nanomedicine, Department of Food Science, Division of Sciences, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; (G.M.N.I.); (M.Q.)
| | - M. Azam Ali
- Centre for Bioengineering & Nanomedicine, Department of Food Science, Division of Sciences, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; (G.M.N.I.); (M.Q.)
- Correspondence:
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