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Updated: Nov 17, 2025
Strain Sensing Based on Multiscale Composite Materials Reinforced with Graphene Nanoplatelets
Published on: November 7, 2016
In vitro analysis of a physiological strain sensor formulated from a PEDOT:PSS functionalized carbon
Ghazal Tadayyon1, Katarzyna Krukiewicz2, James Britton3
1Centre for Research in Medical Devices, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland; Department of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Ireland.
Abstract:
Biodegradable strain sensors able to undergo controlled degradation following implantation have recently received significant interest as novel approaches to detect pathological tissue swelling or non-physiological stresses. In this study, the physicomechanical, electrochemical and active pressure sensing behavior of an electrically conductive and biodegradable poly(glycerol sebacate urethane) (PGSU) composite, reinforced with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs), was evaluated in vitro. Analysis of these PGSU-CNTs composites demonstrated that the incorporation of functionalized CNTs into a biodegradable elastomer resulted in enhanced mechanical strength, conductivity and tailored matrix biodegradation. PGSU-CNT composites were subsequently formulated into flexible and active pressure sensors which demonstrated optimal sensitivity to applied 1% uniaxial tensile strains. Finally, cytocompatibility analysis a with primary neural culture confirmed that PGSU-CNT composites exhibited low cytotoxicity, and supported neuron adhesion, viability, and proliferation in vitro.
