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Kirigami-Enabled Microwave Resonator Arrays for Wireless, Flexible, Passive Strain Sensing
Zahra Azimi Dijvejin1, Kasra Khorsand Kazemi2, Kamran Alasvand Zarasvand1
1Okanagan Polymer Engineering Research & Applications Laboratory, School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia V1V 1V7, Canada.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|September 7, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed a novel wireless strain sensor using metamaterials. This flexible sensor combines mechanical kirigami with electronic split-ring resonators for highly sensitive strain detection.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Background:
- Flexible and wireless strain sensors are crucial for diverse applications.
- Existing sensors often face limitations in sensitivity, range, or wireless capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a novel hybrid sensor combining mechanical and electronic metamaterials.
- To develop a highly sensitive, wireless flexible strain sensor with a broad detection range.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a bespoke kirigami sheet with two distinct kirigami motifs.
- Integration of a split-ring resonator (SRR) array onto the kirigami structure.
- Mechanical testing and finite element modeling to analyze structural properties.
- Microwave sensing to monitor S11 response variations due to kirigami hinge rotation.
Main Results:
- The hybrid kirigami structure demonstrated high strain range and out-of-plane rotation without plastic deformation.
- Wireless detection of strain changes was achieved by monitoring SRR S11 response.
- High sensitivity was observed, with >30 MHz frequency shift and >30 dB amplitude shift per unit strain.
- The sensor successfully detected strain variations from 0.6% to 21.3%.
Conclusions:
- The novel combination of kirigami and SRR metamaterials enables a highly sensitive, wireless flexible strain sensor.
- The hybrid structure's mechanical properties are optimized for large strain detection.
- This technology holds significant potential for advanced sensing applications.
