Economically viable electromechanical tensile testing equipment for stretchable sensor assessment

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Robotics Engineering
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Soft robotics demand high-performance stretchable sensors, reliant on reliable conductive materials.
• Assessing stretchable electrode quality requires electromechanical testing, often hindered by high equipment costs.
• Existing professional electromechanical tensile testing equipment presents a significant financial barrier for many researchers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce an economical, Do-it-yourself (DIY) electromechanical tensile test (EMTT) system.
• To provide a cost-effective solution for evaluating the performance of stretchable conductive materials.
• To facilitate the development of advanced stretchable sensors for soft robotics.

Main Methods:

• Developed a DIY-EMTT system utilizing an Arduino-nano module.
• Integrated essential components: load cell, displacement sensor, motor linear stage, and a DIY resistance meter.
• Designed the system to significantly reduce instrumental costs from thousands to hundreds of dollars.

Main Results:

• Successfully created a functional and affordable electromechanical tensile testing apparatus.
• Demonstrated a substantial reduction in the cost of electromechanical testing equipment.
• Provided a comprehensive, step-by-step guide for constructing the DIY-EMTT.

Conclusions:

• The DIY-EMTT offers a viable and accessible solution for researchers in soft robotics.
• This low-cost testing method is expected to accelerate innovation in stretchable sensor development.
• The accessibility of this DIY electromechanical tensile test will democratize research in stretchable materials for soft robotic applications.