Frictionless multiphasic interface for near-ideal aero-elastic pressure sensing

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Physics
• Engineering

Background:

• Conventional pressure sensors utilize solid sensing elements, limiting their performance in complex fluid environments.
• The lotus leaf's air entrapment phenomenon inspires a new approach to pressure sensing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and develop a novel pressure sensor leveraging multiphasic interfaces for enhanced performance.
• To achieve ultrasensitive and ultraprecise pressure monitoring in challenging conditions.

Main Methods:

• Designed a sensor utilizing solid-liquid-liquid-gas multiphasic interfaces and a trapped elastic air layer.
• Engineered an ultraslippery interface with nanoscale and microscale electrode structuring for near-friction-free motion.
• Employed a closed-cell pillar array structure in conjunction with the ultraslippery electrode surface.

Main Results:

• Achieved outstanding sensor linearity (R² = 0.99944 ± 0.00015) with minimal nonlinearity (1.49 ± 0.17%).
• Demonstrated ultralow hysteresis (1.34 ± 0.20%) and very high sensitivity (79.1 ± 4.3 pF kPa⁻¹).
• Validated sensor operation in turbulent flow, in vivo biological environments, and during laparoscopic procedures.

Conclusions:

• The developed sensor offers superior pressure-sensing performance compared to current state-of-the-art technologies.
• This strategy enables ultrasensitive and ultraprecise pressure monitoring in complex fluid environments.
• The design holds potential for advancements in various medical and industrial applications.