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Intelligent and highly sensitive strain sensor based on indium tin oxide micromesh with a high crack density
Yancong Qiao1, Hao Tang1, Haidong Liu1
1School of Biomedical Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China. zhoujh33@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
Nanoscale
|March 2, 2022
Summary
This study introduces an invisible indium tin oxide/polyurethane micromesh strain sensor (IMSS) with ultrahigh sensitivity due to high-density cracks. This advanced sensor enables accurate monitoring of physiological signals and artificial throat applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Sensor Technology
Background:
- Cracks significantly impact strain sensor performance, but systematic analysis is lacking.
- Existing strain sensors often lack sensitivity, linearity, or invisibility for practical applications.
- Indium tin oxide (ITO) and polyurethane (PU) offer potential for flexible and biocompatible sensor materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an intelligent and highly sensitive strain sensor using an ITO/PU micromesh.
- To investigate the crucial role of high-density cracks in enhancing strain sensor performance.
- To demonstrate the application of the developed sensor in physiological signal monitoring and artificial throat development.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of an ITO/PU micromesh with controlled crack density.
- Characterization of the micromesh's physical and electrical properties.
- Development of a finite element model to explain sensor performance based on crack density.
- Integration of the strain sensor with a convolutional neural network for signal processing.
Main Results:
- The ITO/PU micromesh strain sensor (IMSS) achieved an ultrahigh gauge factor of 744.3.
- High-density cracks significantly improved sensor sensitivity and linearity compared to low-density crack sensors.
- The IMSS successfully monitored physiological signals like respiration, pulse, and joint motion.
- An invisible artificial throat was created, translating throat vibrations with 86.5% accuracy.
Conclusions:
- High-density cracks are critical for achieving superior performance in ITO/PU micromesh strain sensors.
- The developed invisible IMSS demonstrates significant potential for non-invasive health monitoring.
- This technology holds promise for applications in healthcare and language function reconstruction.
