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Chaudhari A, Lokesh R, Chheang V, Doshi SM, Barmaki RL, Cashaback JGA, Thostenson ET. Characterizing the Sensing Response of Carbon Nanocomposite-Based Wearable Sensors on Elbow Joint Using an End Point Robot and Virtual Reality. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:4894. [PMID: 39123940 PMCID: PMC11314941 DOI: 10.3390/s24154894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Physical therapy is often essential for complete recovery after injury. However, a significant population of patients fail to adhere to prescribed exercise regimens. Lack of motivation and inconsistent in-person visits to physical therapy are major contributing factors to suboptimal exercise adherence, slowing the recovery process. With the advancement of virtual reality (VR), researchers have developed remote virtual rehabilitation systems with sensors such as inertial measurement units. A functional garment with an integrated wearable sensor can also be used for real-time sensory feedback in VR-based therapeutic exercise and offers affordable remote rehabilitation to patients. Sensors integrated into wearable garments offer the potential for a quantitative range of motion measurements during VR rehabilitation. In this research, we developed and validated a carbon nanocomposite-coated knit fabric-based sensor worn on a compression sleeve that can be integrated with upper-extremity virtual rehabilitation systems. The sensor was created by coating a commercially available weft knitted fabric consisting of polyester, nylon, and elastane fibers. A thin carbon nanotube composite coating applied to the fibers makes the fabric electrically conductive and functions as a piezoresistive sensor. The nanocomposite sensor, which is soft to the touch and breathable, demonstrated high sensitivity to stretching deformations, with an average gauge factor of ~35 in the warp direction of the fabric sensor. Multiple tests are performed with a Kinarm end point robot to validate the sensor for repeatable response with a change in elbow joint angle. A task was also created in a VR environment and replicated by the Kinarm. The wearable sensor can measure the change in elbow angle with more than 90% accuracy while performing these tasks, and the sensor shows a proportional resistance change with varying joint angles while performing different exercises. The potential use of wearable sensors in at-home virtual therapy/exercise was demonstrated using a Meta Quest 2 VR system with a virtual exercise program to show the potential for at-home measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Chaudhari
- Center for Composite Materials, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA; (A.C.); (S.M.D.)
| | - Rakshith Lokesh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA; (R.L.); (J.G.A.C.)
| | - Vuthea Chheang
- Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA; (V.C.); (R.L.B.)
| | - Sagar M. Doshi
- Center for Composite Materials, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA; (A.C.); (S.M.D.)
| | - Roghayeh Leila Barmaki
- Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA; (V.C.); (R.L.B.)
| | - Joshua G. A. Cashaback
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA; (R.L.); (J.G.A.C.)
| | - Erik T. Thostenson
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Center for Composite Materials, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
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2
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Ferreira R, Silva AP, Nunes-Pereira J. Current On-Skin Flexible Sensors, Materials, Manufacturing Approaches, and Study Trends for Health Monitoring: A Review. ACS Sens 2024; 9:1104-1133. [PMID: 38394033 PMCID: PMC10964246 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.3c02555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Due to an ever-increasing amount of the population focusing more on their personal health, thanks to rising living standards, there is a pressing need to improve personal healthcare devices. These devices presently require laborious, time-consuming, and convoluted procedures that heavily rely on cumbersome equipment, causing discomfort and pain for the patients during invasive methods such as sample-gathering, blood sampling, and other traditional benchtop techniques. The solution lies in the development of new flexible sensors with temperature, humidity, strain, pressure, and sweat detection and monitoring capabilities, mimicking some of the sensory capabilities of the skin. In this review, a comprehensive presentation of the themes regarding flexible sensors, chosen materials, manufacturing processes, and trends was made. It was concluded that carbon-based composite materials, along with graphene and its derivates, have garnered significant interest due to their electromechanical stability, extraordinary electrical conductivity, high specific surface area, variety, and relatively low cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo
G. Ferreira
- C-MAST, Centre for Mechanical and Aerospace
Science and Technologies, Universidade da
Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Abílio P. Silva
- C-MAST, Centre for Mechanical and Aerospace
Science and Technologies, Universidade da
Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - João Nunes-Pereira
- C-MAST, Centre for Mechanical and Aerospace
Science and Technologies, Universidade da
Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
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3
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Zhang J, Wei S, Liu C, Shang C, He Z, Duan Y, Peng Z. Porous nanocomposites with enhanced intrinsic piezoresistive sensitivity for bioinspired multimodal tactile sensors. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2024; 10:19. [PMID: 38283382 PMCID: PMC10811241 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-023-00630-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
In this work, we propose porous fluororubber/thermoplastic urethane nanocomposites (PFTNs) and explore their intrinsic piezoresistive sensitivity to pressure. Our experiments reveal that the intrinsic sensitivity of the PFTN-based sensor to pressure up to 10 kPa increases up to 900% compared to the porous thermoplastic urethane nanocomposite (PTN) counterpart and up to 275% compared to the porous fluororubber nanocomposite (PFN) counterpart. For pressures exceeding 10 kPa, the resistance-pressure relationship of PFTN follows a logarithmic function, and the sensitivity is 221% and 125% higher than that of PTN and PFN, respectively. With the excellent intrinsic sensitivity of the thick PFTN film, a single sensing unit with integrated electrode design can imitate human skin for touch detection, pressure perception and traction sensation. The sensing range of our multimodal tactile sensor reaches ~150 Pa, and it exhibits a linear fit over 97% for both normal pressure and shear force. We also demonstrate that an electronic skin, made of an array of sensing units, is capable of accurately recognizing complex tactile interactions including pinch, spread, and tweak motions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianpeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Radio Frequency Heterogeneous Integration (Shenzhen University), School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, 518060 Shenzhen, Guangdong Province P. R. China
| | - Song Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Radio Frequency Heterogeneous Integration (Shenzhen University), School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, 518060 Shenzhen, Guangdong Province P. R. China
| | - Caichao Liu
- Linksense Technology Ltd., 518060 Shenzhen, Guangdong Province P. R. China
| | - Chao Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Radio Frequency Heterogeneous Integration (Shenzhen University), School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, 518060 Shenzhen, Guangdong Province P. R. China
| | - Zhaoqiang He
- State Key Laboratory of Radio Frequency Heterogeneous Integration (Shenzhen University), School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, 518060 Shenzhen, Guangdong Province P. R. China
| | - Yu Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Radio Frequency Heterogeneous Integration (Shenzhen University), School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, 518060 Shenzhen, Guangdong Province P. R. China
| | - Zhengchun Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Radio Frequency Heterogeneous Integration (Shenzhen University), School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, 518060 Shenzhen, Guangdong Province P. R. China
- Linksense Technology Ltd., 518060 Shenzhen, Guangdong Province P. R. China
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Fortunato M, Pacitto L, Pesce N, Tamburrano A. 3D-Printed Graphene Nanoplatelets/Polymer Foams for Low/Medium-Pressure Sensors. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:7054. [PMID: 37631589 PMCID: PMC10458629 DOI: 10.3390/s23167054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The increasing interest in wearable devices for health monitoring, illness prevention, and human motion detection has driven research towards developing novel and cost-effective solutions for highly sensitive flexible sensors. The objective of this work is to develop innovative piezoresistive pressure sensors utilizing two types of 3D porous flexible open-cell foams: Grid and triply periodic minimal surface structures. These foams will be produced through a procedure involving the 3D printing of sacrificial templates, followed by infiltration with various low-viscosity polymers, leaching, and ultimately coating the pores with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). Additive manufacturing enables precise control over the shape and dimensions of the structure by manipulating geometric parameters during the design phase. This control extends to the piezoresistive response of the sensors, which is achieved by infiltrating the foams with varying concentrations of a colloidal suspension of GNPs. To examine the morphology of the produced materials, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) is employed, while mechanical and piezoresistive behavior are investigated through quasi-static uniaxial compression tests. The results obtained indicate that the optimized grid-based structure sensors, manufactured using the commercial polymer Solaris, exhibit the highest sensitivity compared to other tested samples. These sensors demonstrate a maximum sensitivity of 0.088 kPa-1 for pressures below 10 kPa, increasing to 0.24 kPa-1 for pressures of 80 kPa. Furthermore, the developed sensors are successfully applied to measure heartbeats both before and after aerobic activity, showcasing their excellent sensitivity within the typical pressure range exerted by the heartbeat, which typically falls between 10 and 20 kPa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Fortunato
- Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering (DIAEE), Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy
- Nanotechnology Research Center Applied to Engineering (CNIS), Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Pacitto
- Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering (DIAEE), Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Pesce
- Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering (DIAEE), Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy
- Nanotechnology Research Center Applied to Engineering (CNIS), Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Tamburrano
- Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering (DIAEE), Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy
- Nanotechnology Research Center Applied to Engineering (CNIS), Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Zhuo E, Wang Z, Chen X, Zou J, Fang Y, Zhuo J, Li Y, Zhang J, Gong Z. Wearable Smart Fabric Based on Hybrid E-Fiber Sensor for Real-Time Finger Motion Detection. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:2934. [PMID: 37447578 DOI: 10.3390/polym15132934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Wearable electronic sensors have attracted considerable interest in hand motion monitoring because of their small size, flexibility, and biocompatibility. However, the range of motion and sensitivity of many sensors are inadequate for complex and precise finger motion capture. Here, organic and inorganic materials were incorporated to fabricate a hybrid electronic sensor and optimized and woven into fabric for hand motion detection. The sensor was made from flexible porous polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) filled with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The weight ratios of MWCNTs and geometric characteristics were optimized to improve the hybrid electronic sensor, which showed a high elongation at the breaking point (i.e., more than 100%) and a good sensitivity of 1.44. The strain-related deformation of the PDMS/MWCNT composite network resulted in a variation in the sensor resistance; thus, the strain level that corresponds to different finger motions is be calculated. Finally, the fabricated and optimized electronic sensor in filiform structure with a 6% MWCNT ratio was integrated with smart fabric to create a finger sleeve for real-time motion capture. In conclusion, a novel hybrid E-fiber sensor based on PDMS and MWCNTs was successfully fabricated in the current study with an optimal M/P ratio and structure, and textile techniques were adopted as new packaging approaches for such soft electronic sensors to create smart fabric for wearable and precise detection with highly enhanced sensing performance. The successful results in the current study demonstrate the great potential of such hybrid soft sensors in smart wearable healthcare management, including motion detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erhan Zhuo
- Sino-German College of Intelligent Manufacturing, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Ziwen Wang
- Sino-German College of Intelligent Manufacturing, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Xiaochen Chen
- Sino-German College of Intelligent Manufacturing, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Junhao Zou
- Sino-German College of Intelligent Manufacturing, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Yuan Fang
- Sino-German College of Intelligent Manufacturing, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Jiekai Zhuo
- Sino-German College of Intelligent Manufacturing, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Yicheng Li
- Sino-German College of Intelligent Manufacturing, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design, School of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Zidan Gong
- Sino-German College of Intelligent Manufacturing, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
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6
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Zhang Z, Zhang H, Zhang Q, Zhao X, Li B, Zang J, Zhao X, Zhang T. A Pressure and Temperature Dual-Parameter Sensor Based on a Composite Material for Electronic Wearable Devices. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:690. [PMID: 36985097 PMCID: PMC10058327 DOI: 10.3390/mi14030690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Wearable sensors integrating multiple functionalities are highly desirable in artificial wearable devices, which are of great significance in the field of biomedical research and for human-computer interactions. However, it is still a great challenge to simultaneously perceive multiple external stimuli such as pressure and temperature with one single sensor. Combining the piezoresistive effect with the negative temperature coefficient of resistance, in this paper, we report on a pressure-temperature dual-parameter sensor composed of a polydimethylsiloxane film, carbon nanotube sponge, and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate). The proposed multifunctional sensor can stably monitor pressure signals with a high sensitivity of 16 kPa-1, has a range of up to 2.5 kPa, and also has a fast response time. Meanwhile, the sensor can also respond to temperature changes with an ultrahigh sensitivity rate of 0.84% °C-1 in the range of 20 °C to 80 °C. To validate the applicability of our sensor in practical environments, we conducted real-scene tests, which revealed its capability for monitoring = human motion signals while simultaneously sensing external temperature stimuli, reflecting its great application prospects for electronic wearable devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhidong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement of Ministry of Education, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (Z.Z.)
| | - Huinan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement of Ministry of Education, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (Z.Z.)
| | - Qingchao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement of Ministry of Education, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (Z.Z.)
| | - Xiaolong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement of Ministry of Education, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (Z.Z.)
| | - Bo Li
- School of Software, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China
| | - Junbin Zang
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement of Ministry of Education, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (Z.Z.)
| | - Xuefeng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of ASIC and System, Shanghai Institute of Intelligent Electronics & Systems, School of Microelectronics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Tiansheng Zhang
- Shanxi Hospital of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Taiyuan 030006, China;
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7
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Turco A, Monteduro AG, Montagna F, Primiceri E, Frigione M, Maruccio G. The effect of synthetic conditions on piezoresistive properties of ultrasensitive carbon nanotube/PDMS 3D composites. POLYMER 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2022.125534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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8
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Yuan H, Li Y, Qian Z, Ren L, Ren L. A Piezoresistive Sensor with High Sensitivity and Flexibility Based on Porous Sponge. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:3833. [PMID: 36364609 PMCID: PMC9656667 DOI: 10.3390/nano12213833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Chemical plating has recently been employed for the preparation of flexible piezoresistive sensors; however, plating solutions and processes that affect the sensitivity still need further exploration. In the study, a sponge-based flexible sensor with copper as its conductive material is prepared using electroless plating. The variation in sponge resistance and sensitivity changes with different plating times are studied. It is found that, with the increasing plating time, the conductivity increases and the resistance of sample will decrease. Moreover, the range of resistance difference will decrease under compression, thus the sensitivity decreases. Furthermore, the sensor's applications were assessed, verifying the practicability of the developed preparation method. This study may bring ideas for the new development of flexible pressure sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengyi Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
- School of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Jilin Engineering Normal University, Changchun 130052, China
| | - Yi Li
- School of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Jilin Engineering Normal University, Changchun 130052, China
| | - Zhihui Qian
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Lei Ren
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
- School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Luquan Ren
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
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Fu Y, Zhao S, Wan Z, Tian Y, Wang S. Investigation into a Lightweight Polymeric Porous Sponge with High Magnetic Field and Strain Sensitivity. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:2762. [PMID: 36014627 PMCID: PMC9415109 DOI: 10.3390/nano12162762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Recently, flexible sensors have gained significant attention due to their potential applications in soft robotics and biomimetic intelligent devices. However, the successful production of favorable flexible sensors integrated with high flexibility, sensitivity and excellent environment adaptability toward multiple external stimuli is still an enormous challenge. Herein, a lightweight polymeric porous sponge capable of detecting an external magnetic field and strain excitations is proposed by assembling a sodium alginate/chitosan (SA/CHI) porous sponge with micron carbonyl iron and nanoscale Fe3O4 magnetic particles (MPs). Based on the double network structure, the SA/CHI sponge possesses preferable mechanical strength and hydrophilicity, demonstrating its high flexibility and deformability. More importantly, the electrical response of the SA/CHI sponge sensors can display remarkable variation under external magnetic and mechanical stimuli due to their superior magnetic characteristics and electrical conductivity. Meanwhile, their sensing properties can maintain relatively stable recoverability and repeatability towards the periodic excitations and releases. Additionally, a potential mechanism is provided to investigate their stimuli-sensitive behavior. It is highly dependent on the microstructure variations in MPs and conductive multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) networks. Due to its exceptional magnetic controllability and appropriate electrical sensitivity, the proposed sensor shows high potential in wearable multi-sensing electronics and intelligent transport devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Fu
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- School of Mechanics and Safety Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Shijie Zhao
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Zhenshuai Wan
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Ye Tian
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Shuangkun Wang
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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Integration of Different Graphene Nanostructures with PDMS to Form Wearable Sensors. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12060950. [PMID: 35335764 PMCID: PMC8949288 DOI: 10.3390/nano12060950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents a substantial review of the fabrication and implementation of graphene-PDMS-based composites for wearable sensing applications. Graphene is a pivotal nanomaterial which is increasingly being used to develop multifunctional sensors due to their enhanced electrical, mechanical, and thermal characteristics. It has been able to generate devices with excellent performances in terms of sensitivity and longevity. Among the polymers, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has been one of the most common ones that has been used in biomedical applications. Certain attributes, such as biocompatibility and the hydrophobic nature of PDMS, have led the researchers to conjugate it in graphene sensors as substrates or a polymer matrix. The use of these graphene/PDMS-based sensors for wearable sensing applications has been highlighted here. Different kinds of electrochemical and strain-sensing applications have been carried out to detect the physiological signals and parameters of the human body. These prototypes have been classified based on the physical nature of graphene used to formulate the sensors. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives of these graphene/PDMS-based wearable sensors are explained in the final part of the paper.
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Liquid Metal Patterned Stretchable and Soft Capacitive Sensor with Enhanced Dielectric Property Enabled by Graphite Nanofiber Fillers. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14040710. [PMID: 35215624 PMCID: PMC8879769 DOI: 10.3390/polym14040710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, we introduce liquid metal patterned stretchable and soft capacitive sensor with enhanced dielectric properties enabled by graphite nanofiber (GNF) fillers dispersed in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate. We oxidized gallium-based liquid metal that exhibited excellent wetting behavior on the surface of the composites to enable patterning of the electrodes by a facile stencil printing. The fluidic behavior of the liquid metal electrode and modulated dielectric properties of the composite (k = 6.41 ± 0.092@6 wt % at 1 kHz) was utilized to fabricate stretchable and soft capacitive sensor with ability to distinguish various hand motions.
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12
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Chiappim W, Fraga MA, Furlan H, Ardiles DC, Pessoa RS. The status and perspectives of nanostructured materials and fabrication processes for wearable piezoresistive sensors. MICROSYSTEM TECHNOLOGIES : SENSORS, ACTUATORS, SYSTEMS INTEGRATION 2022; 28:1561-1580. [PMID: 35313490 PMCID: PMC8926892 DOI: 10.1007/s00542-022-05269-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The wearable sensors have attracted a growing interest in different markets, including health, fitness, gaming, and entertainment, due to their outstanding characteristics of convenience, simplicity, accuracy, speed, and competitive price. The development of different types of wearable sensors was only possible due to advances in smart nanostructured materials with properties to detect changes in temperature, touch, pressure, movement, and humidity. Among the various sensing nanomaterials used in wearable sensors, the piezoresistive type has been extensively investigated and their potential have been demonstrated for different applications. In this review article, the current status and challenges of nanomaterials and fabrication processes for wearable piezoresistive sensors are presented in three parts. The first part focuses on the different types of sensing nanomaterials, namely, zero-dimensional (0D), one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), and three-dimensional (3D) piezoresistive nanomaterials. Then, in second part, their fabrication processes and integration are discussed. Finally, the last part presents examples of wearable piezoresistive sensors and their applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Chiappim
- Departamento de Física, Laboratório de Plasmas e Processos, Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica, São José dos Campos, 12228-900 Brazil
| | - Mariana Amorim Fraga
- Escola de Engenharia, Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, São Paulo, SP 01302-907 Brazil
| | - Humber Furlan
- Centro Estadual de Educação Tecnológica Paula Souza, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Gestão e Tecnologia em Sistemas Produtivos, 169, São Paulo, SP 01124-010 Brazil
| | | | - Rodrigo Sávio Pessoa
- Departamento de Física, Laboratório de Plasmas e Processos, Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica, São José dos Campos, 12228-900 Brazil
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