Untraditional Deformation‐Driven Pressure Sensor with High Sensitivity and Ultra‐Large Sensing Range up to MPa Enables Versatile Applications. Issue 11 (14th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kong, Huijun; Song, Zhongqian; Xu, Jianan; Qu, Dongyang; Bao, Yu; Wang, Wei; Wang, Zhenxin; Zhang, Yuwei; Ma, Yingming; Han, Dongxue; Niu, Li
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials technologies. Volume 5:Issue 11(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-10-14
• Subjects: elastic modulus -- flexible pressure sensors -- ultra‐large sensing range -- versatile applications; Materials science -- Periodicals; Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Materials science; Technological innovations; Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1002/admt.202000677
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2365-709X

Abstract

Abstract: A piezoresistive flexible pressure sensor with high sensitivity as well as ultra‐large sensing range up to MPa is proposed based on inelastic metallic microstructures and flat elastic polymer films. During the pressure loading process, the metallic microstructures continuously penetrate into the polymer film due to the rigid characteristic, resulting in continuous contact area variation and ultra‐large pressure sensing range of the pressure sensor. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) are introduced to construct flexible pressure sensors, achieving elastic modulus tunable sensing performance. The pressure sensors exhibit high sensitivity, superior sensing range (300 kPa for PDMS, 1.4 MPa for PVDF), ultra‐fast response time (≈3.5 ms) as well as high stability (>10 000 cycles), enabling potential applications in monitoring human vital signs, such as wrist pulse, human movements, and gait recognition. In addition, an acceleration sensor is constructed based on the as‐fabricated pressure sensor, which is utilized for extensive applications in action identification, virtual reality, and vehicle safety systems. This work provides an alternative strategy to construct high performance pressure sensors. Abstract : A piezoresistive flexible pressure sensor with high sensitivity as well as ultra‐large sensing range is proposed based on inelastic metallic microstructures and flat polymer films. The novel design could avoid deformation saturation during pressure loading process, resulting in ultra‐large sensing range. The pressure sensor exhibits potential application prospects in wrist pulse monitoring, human movement detection, and vehicle safety systems.