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Flexible Capacitive Pressure Sensors with Ultrasonically Engineered Cu-Filled PDMS Dielectric Layers
Xuelei Jia1, Zhiwei Xu1, Jiahao Huang1
1College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 26, 2026
Summary
Ultrasonic treatment improves copper particle dispersion in flexible pressure sensors. This enhances dielectric stability and sensing performance for better wearable electronics and robotics applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Flexible capacitive pressure sensors are crucial for wearable electronics and robotics.
- Non-uniform filler distribution in dielectric layers degrades sensor performance and stability.
- Developing methods for uniform filler dispersion is essential for advanced sensor applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the dispersion of copper (Cu) particles in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) dielectric layer using ultrasonic-assisted homogenization.
- To investigate the impact of Cu particle distribution on the dielectric properties and sensing performance of flexible capacitive pressure sensors.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasonic treatment in improving sensor sensitivity, stability, and working range.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a Cu/PDMS composite dielectric layer using ultrasonic-assisted homogenization.
- Theoretical modeling and finite element simulations to analyze particle distribution effects.
- Characterization of sensor performance, including sensitivity, dielectric stability, and cyclic loading.
Main Results:
- Ultrasonic treatment significantly improved Cu particle dispersion and suppressed sedimentation.
- Uniform particle distribution enhanced dielectric stability and reduced electric-field concentration.
- The ultrasonically treated sensor exhibited higher sensitivity (0.157 kPa⁻¹ within 0-1 kPa) and improved performance over 1000 cycles compared to conventionally prepared sensors.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasonic-assisted homogenization is an effective method for optimizing dielectric and sensing performance in flexible capacitive pressure sensors.
- Improved particle dispersion leads to enhanced dielectric stability and overall sensor functionality.
- This approach offers a pathway for developing high-performance flexible sensors for diverse applications.
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