Bio-based soft elastomeric capacitor for structural health monitoring applications. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kharroub, Sari; Laflamme, Simon; Madbouly, Samy; Ubertini, Filippo
• Other Names: Epaarachchi Jayantha guest-editor.; Canning John guest-editor.; Leng Jinsong guest-editor.; Lau Alan guest-editor.; Mendis Priyan guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Structural health monitoring. Volume 14:Number 2(2015)
• Page Start: 158
• Page End: 167
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Structural health monitoring -- strain monitoring -- capacitive sensor -- soft elastomeric capacitor -- bio-based sensor -- stretchable sensor -- dielectric polymer -- large-area electronics; Structural health monitoring -- Periodicals; Structural stability -- Periodicals; Strength of materials -- Periodicals; Nondestructive testing -- Periodicals; Constructions -- Stabilité -- Périodiques; Résistance des matériaux -- Périodiques; Contrôle non destructif -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 624.17
• DOI: 10.1177/1475921714560072
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1475-9217

Abstract

Recent advances in flexible electronics have enabled the development of large-area electronics, which are typically fabricated from petroleum-based polymers. With the rapidly growing market of flexible electronics and sensors, there is a pressure to move toward environmentally friendly products. In this article, a bio-based polyurethane soft elastomeric capacitor for structural health monitoring applications is presented. The sensor's dielectric is fabricated using castor oil–based waterborne polyurethane, mixed with titanium dioxide, which replaces petroleum-based dielectric materials (e.g. styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene) previously used by the authors. A critical advantage of the proposed castor oil–based polyurethane over styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene is the environmentally friendly nature of the bio-based polymer and water-based fabrication process of the dielectric that limits the use of solvents. Static characterization demonstrates the linearity of the sensor and its ability to transduce local strain of large surfaces into change in capacitance. Material test results show good physical and chemical properties, despite a decay of the dielectric that occurs after the first 16 days of fabrication.