Fabrication of Pressure Sensor Using Electrospinning Method for Robotic Tactile Sensing Application.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Robotics Engineering
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Tactile sensors are crucial for robotics, but piezoelectric sensors are costly.
• Alternative materials exhibiting piezoelectric-like effects in non-piezoelectric polymers are being explored.
• Cost-effective materials are needed to advance tactile sensing technology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate atactic polystyrene (aPS) as a base material for fabricating functional tactile sensors.
• To develop a unique and inexpensive pressure sensor fabrication method.
• To evaluate the performance of the fabricated sensor for robotic applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of functional fibers using electrospinning of atactic polystyrene (aPS).
• Morphological analysis of fibers using field-emission scanning electron microscopy.
• Characterization of electrical and mechanical properties of the fabricated pressure sensor under varying pressures.

Main Results:

• A unique pressure sensor fabrication method was proposed.
• An open circuit voltage of 3.1 V was achieved at 19.9 kPa.
• The average apparent piezoelectric constant (d_app) was measured at 12.9 ± 1.8 pC N^-1.
• The sensor was successfully integrated with a robotic arm.

Conclusions:

• Inexpensive atactic polystyrene (aPS) can be effectively used to fabricate functional tactile sensors.
• The developed sensor demonstrates promising performance for tactile sensing applications in robotics.
• This approach offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional piezoelectric sensors.