Transparent Body-Attachable Multifunctional Pressure, Thermal, and Proximity Sensor and Heater

A multifunctional sensor capable of simultaneous sensing of temperature, pressure, and proximity has been developed. This transparent and body-attachable device is also capable of providing heat under low voltage. The multi-sensor consists of metal fibers fabricated by electrospinning and electroplating. The device comprises randomly deposited metal fibers, which not only provide heating but also perform as thermal and proximity sensors, and orderly aligned metal fibers that act as a pressure sensor. The sensor is fabricated by weaving straight rectangular electrodes on a transparent substrate (a matrix). The sensitivity is readily enhanced by installing numerous matrices that facilitate higher sensing resolution. The convective heat transfer coefficient of the heater is h = 0.014 W·cm^-2·°C^-1. The temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR) and pressure sensitivity (η_P) are 0.038 °C^-1 and 5.3 × 10^-3 kPa^-1, respectively. The superior sensitivity of the device is confirmed via quantitative comparison with similar devices. This multifunctional device also has a superior convective heat transfer coefficient than do other heaters reported in the literature.