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Strain Sensing Based on Multiscale Composite Materials Reinforced with Graphene Nanoplatelets
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Highly Skin-Conformal Laser-Induced Graphene-Based Human Motion Monitoring Sensor
Sung-Yeob Jeong1, Jun-Uk Lee2, Sung-Moo Hong3
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 30, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed a novel, skin-like strain sensor using laser-induced graphene (LIG) on elastomeric composites. This flexible sensor offers high sensitivity and a wide working range for advanced wearable human monitoring devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Elastomeric conductive polymer composites are crucial for human monitoring devices but face challenges in achieving high sensitivity, flexibility, and stretchability.
- Developing skin-like strain sensors with a broad working range and excellent performance remains a significant hurdle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel fabrication technology for creating highly sensitive, skin-like elastomeric conductive composites for strain sensing.
- To develop a flexible, 3-D strain sensor with enhanced performance characteristics for diverse applications.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of e-skin substrates using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and photosensitive polyimide (PSPI) solutions.
- Development of a laser-induced graphene (LIG) layer on the e-skin substrates via a one-step Laser Direct Writing (LDW) process.
- Integration of LIG with a closed-pore porous structure to create a deformable conductive path.
Main Results:
- The developed LIG/PDMS/PSPI composite sensor exhibits a closed-pore porous structure, enhancing sensitivity through intensified conductive network deformation.
- The sensor demonstrates an ultrawide sensing range (120% strain), high sensitivity (gauge factor of ~380), and rapid response/recovery times (90 ms/140 ms).
- Exceptional stability and the ability to monitor subtle physiological signals and energetic human motions were achieved.
Conclusions:
- The novel fabrication method successfully created a superior, durable, skin-like strain sensor with excellent performance metrics.
- The sensor's unique properties make it highly suitable for advanced wearable health-monitoring, robotic tactile systems, and human-machine interfaces.
