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Fiber-Based Noncontact Sensor with Stretchability for Underwater Wearable Sensing and VR Applications
Qianqian Liang1,2, Dong Zhang1, Tianyiyi He2
1State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, PR China.
ACS Nano
|December 21, 2023
Summary
A new hydrophobic fiber-based capacitive sensor enables seamless human-machine interaction in both air and water. This advanced wearable technology offers reliable noncontact sensing for virtual reality and submerged applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Wearable Technology
- Sensor Technology
Background:
- Increasing demand for seamless human-machine interaction in AI wearable devices.
- Growing need for robust underwater detection technologies in wet environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a fiber-based capacitive sensor with superior stretchability and hydrophobicity.
- To enable noncontact and underwater sensing capabilities for advanced human-machine interfaces.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a bacterial cellulose (BC)@BC/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (BBT) helical fiber matrix.
- Hydrophobic modification using methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to create silylated BBT (SBBT) fibers.
- Characterization of SBBT fiber hydrophobicity (contact angle of 132.8°).
Main Results:
- The SBBT fiber-based capacitive sensor demonstrated effective noncontact and underwater sensing.
- A significant capacitance change of -0.27 was observed at a 0.5 cm distance.
- Achieved interactive control between real and virtual spaces with minimal water interference.
Conclusions:
- The developed sensor provides a foundation for degradable, stretchable, and hydrophobic noncontact sensing.
- Offers promising solutions for barrier-free communication in virtual reality and underwater applications.
- Paves the way for smart human-machine interfaces in submerged environments.
