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Paperclip-Type Flexible Inductive Sensor Based on Liquid Metal Coils for Simple Fabrication and Multifunctional
Xun Sun1,2, Kaixin Li1,2, Zifeng Zhang1,2
1School of Optical Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China.
Micromachines
|August 28, 2025
Summary
This study presents a novel, easy-to-manufacture paperclip-type helical coil inductive sensor using liquid metal. The flexible sensor demonstrates high sensitivity for tensile, pressure, and distance sensing, advancing wearable electronics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Sensor Technology
- Flexible Electronics
Background:
- High-resolution inductive sensors are crucial for flexible electronics.
- Liquid metal integration offers a promising route for fabricating flexible inductive sensors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel paperclip-type helical coil inductive sensor with a simplified manufacturing process.
- To optimize sensor parameters for maximum sensitivity.
- To demonstrate the sensor's capabilities in various sensing applications.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a helical coil sensor using a liquid metal-filled silicone tube encapsulated in PDMS.
- Elimination of high-precision sacrificial metal molds and associated complex processes.
- Optimization of coil parameters, aspect ratio, and number of turns.
Main Results:
- The sensor achieved exceptional linearity (R2=0.999) in tensile sensing, with stable performance over 800 cycles.
- Demonstrated pressure sensing from 0 to 230 kPa and non-contact distance sensing up to 10 mm.
- Successfully monitored human physiological activities and detected metal distances.
Conclusions:
- The novel paperclip-type helical coil inductive sensor offers a streamlined manufacturing process and high performance.
- The sensor is versatile, capable of tensile, pressure, and distance sensing.
- This technology holds significant potential for applications in flexible electronics and wearable devices.
