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Hybrid Printing for the Fabrication of Smart Sensors
Published on: January 31, 2019
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3D printing of a multifunctional nanocomposite helical liquid sensor
Shuang-zhuang Guo1, Xuelu Yang, Marie-Claude Heuzey
1Laboratory of Multi-scale Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering Department, Research Center for High Performance Polymer and Composite Systems (CREPEC), École Polytechnique de Montreal, C.P. 6079, succ. Centre-Ville, Montreal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada. daniel.therriault@polymtl.ca.
Nanoscale
|March 21, 2015
Summary
Researchers developed a 3D printed liquid sensor using a polylactic acid/multi-walled carbon nanotube (PLA/MWCNT) nanocomposite. This novel sensor exhibits high conductivity and effective liquid trapping for sensitive solvent detection.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Sensor Technology
Background:
- Development of advanced sensors for liquid detection is crucial in various scientific and industrial applications.
- Nanocomposite materials offer unique electrical and structural properties for enhanced sensor performance.
- 3D printing enables the fabrication of complex geometries for specialized sensor functionalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate a multifunctional 3D liquid sensor using a polylactic acid/multi-walled carbon nanotube (PLA/MWCNT) nanocomposite.
- To investigate the sensor's electrical conductivity, liquid trapping capability, and sensitivity/selectivity for solvent detection.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a freeform helical 3D liquid sensor via solvent-cast 3D printing.
- Utilized a polylactic acid (PLA) and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposite as the primary material.
- Evaluated sensor performance including electrical conductivity, liquid trapping efficiency, and sensitivity/selectivity to solvents.
Main Results:
- The fabricated 3D sensor demonstrated relatively high electrical conductivity.
- The helical structure effectively facilitated liquid trapping.
- The sensor exhibited excellent sensitivity and selectivity for solvents, even with short immersion times.
Conclusions:
- A multifunctional 3D liquid sensor with high conductivity and liquid trapping capabilities was successfully fabricated.
- The PLA/MWCNT nanocomposite is a promising material for advanced 3D printed sensor applications.
- The helical design enhances sensor performance for sensitive and selective liquid detection.
