Flexible Capacitive Tactile Sensor Based on Micropatterned Dielectric Layer. Issue 36 (20th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Tie; Luo, Hui; Qin, Lin; Wang, Xuewen; Xiong, Zuoping; Ding, Haiyan; Gu, Yang; Liu, Zheng; Zhang, Ting
• Is Part Of: Small. Volume 12:Issue 36(2016)
• Page Start: 5042
• Page End: 5048
• Publication Date: 2016-06-20
• Subjects: capacitive sensors -- flexible pressure sensors -- lotus leaves -- polystyrene microspheres; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanoparticles -- Periodicals; Microtechnology -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.201600760
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1613-6810

Abstract

Abstract : Flexible tactile sensors are considered as an effective way to realize the sense of touch, which can perform the synchronized interactions with surrounding environment. Here, the utilization of bionic microstructures on natural lotus leaves is demonstrated to design and fabricate new‐type of high‐performance flexible capacitive tactile sensors. Taking advantage of unique surface micropattern of lotus leave as the template for electrodes and using polystyrene microspheres as the dielectric layer, the proposed devices present stable and high sensing performance, such as high sensitivity (0.815 kPa −1 ), wide dynamic response range (from 0 to 50 N), and fast response time (≈38 ms). In addition, the flexible capacitive sensor is not only applicable to pressure (touch of a single hair), but also to bending and stretching forces. The results indicate that the proposed capacitive tactile sensor is a promising candidate for the future applications in electronic skins, wearable robotics, and biomedical devices. Abstract : The utilization of bionic microstructures on natural lotus leaves are demonstrated to design and fabricate a new‐type flexible capacitive tactile sensor, the proposed device exhibit high sensitivity (0.815 kPa −1 ), wide dynamic response range (from 0 to 50 N), and fast response time (≈38 ms), which is perfectly applicable to pressure, bending, and stretching forces.