High Sensitivity and a Wide Sensing Range Flexible Strain Sensor Based on the V-Groove/Wrinkles Hierarchical Array

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Wearable Electronics

Background:

• Flexible strain sensors are vital for human motion monitoring and wearable devices.
• Existing sensors often face limitations in sensitivity, sensing range, or stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a high-performance flexible strain sensor.
• To investigate a novel hierarchical array structure for improved sensing capabilities.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a V-groove array on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate using mold transfer printing.
• Sputtering a gold film on a prestretched PDMS substrate.
• Formation of a V-groove/wrinkles hierarchical array after strain release.

Main Results:

• The hierarchical array sensor exhibited high sensitivity (gauge factor up to 2,557.71) and a wide sensing range (up to 45%).
• The sensor demonstrated a fast response (<130 ms), low detection limit (0.1% strain), and excellent stability (>10,000 cycles).

Conclusions:

• The V-groove/wrinkles hierarchical array strategy enables the creation of high-performance flexible strain sensors.
• The developed sensor shows significant potential for human motion detection and wearable applications.