Strain and Pressure Gauges from Tough, Conducting and Edible Hydrogels. Issue 1795 (2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Keller, Alex; Benz, Dominik; in het Panhuis, Marc
• Editors: Rivnay, J.; Bettinger, C.; Ng, T.N.; Wallace, G.G.
• Is Part Of: MRS proceedings. Issue 1795(2015)
• Page Start: 27
• Page End: 33
• Publication Date: 2015
• Subjects: biomaterial, -- devices, -- electrical properties; Electrical engineering -- Congresses; Physics -- Congresses; Materials -- Research -- Congresses; Materials science -- Congresses; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1557/opl.2015.572
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-9172

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The development of highly conductive, robust edible hydrogels was investigated using a combination of the biopolymers gellan gum and gelatin, a common salt (NaCl) and plant-derived cross-linker (genipin). Robust strain gauge/pressure sensors were developed using edible materials to demonstrate the potential of these hydrogels. The hydrogels exhibited gauge factor and pressure sensitivity values of 7.6 ± 0.1 and 400 ± 7 μΩ/Pa for loads up to 3 kPa, respectively. Furthermore, these devices were able to operate under larger loads with gauge factor and pressure sensitivity values of 0.308 ± 0.002 and 7.17 ± 0.05 μΩ/Pa, respectively, for loads between 9 kPa and 280 kPa.