Crack-Based Composite Flexible Sensor with Superhydrophobicity to Detect Strain and Vibration

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Commercial vibration sensors are often rigid, limiting their use on irregular surfaces.
• Harsh operating environments require sensors that can withstand moisture and humidity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a flexible and superhydrophobic vibration sensor.
• To address the limitations of conventional rigid sensors in practical applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication using femtosecond laser direct writing to create parallel microcracks on a PDMS film.
• Spray-coating with a conductive ink of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), carbon black (CB), and PDMS.

Main Results:

• Achieved a high-frequency response up to 2000 Hz and acceleration response up to 100 m/s².
• Demonstrated superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 159.61°.
• Exhibited excellent linearity (0.9812) between voltage signal and acceleration.

Conclusions:

• The flexible, superhydrophobic sensor is suitable for underwater vibration and sound recognition.
• Potential applications include mechanical equipment monitoring and human-machine interaction.