Multifunctional Mechano-Luminescent-Optoelectronic Composites for Self-Powered Strain Sensing

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elias Pulliam ◽  
George Hoover ◽  
Donghyeon Ryu
Keyword(s):  
Light Emission ◽  
Strain Sensor ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Strain Sensing ◽  
Glass Slides ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
External Power ◽  
Self Powered ◽  
Dc Sensor ◽  
Elastomeric Composites

Aerospace mechanical structures encounter various forms of damage throughout their operation due to mechanical stimuli. Structural health monitoring (SHM) is suggested as a way to actively check the integrity of a component by using a system of sensors. However, these conventional sensors can often require external power that is not always readily available in aerospace, thus the development of self-powered sensors could prove beneficial for SHM applications. In this study, the design of multifunctional mechano-luminescent-optoelectronic (MLO) composites strain sensor is suggested. The MLO composites sensor is composed of two transformative materials: 1) mechano-luminescent (ML) copper-doped zinc sulfide (ZnS:Cu) and 2) mechano-optoelectronic (MO) poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). ML ZnS:Cu emits light in response to mechanical stimuli. MO P3HT showed self-sensing capability by generating direct current (DC) sensor signal under light. First, ZnS:Cu ML crystals will be embedded in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix to fabricate ZnS:Cu/PDMS elastomeric composites. ML light emission characteristics of ZnS:Cu/PDMS will be studied by subjecting the ZnS:Cu/PDMS to cyclic tensile strain loadings while videos are recorded of the light emission. The data are analyzed using a statistical factorial methodology so that a regression model to predict light emission based on loading strain and frequency can be calculated. Second, MO P3HT-based self-sensing thin films will be fabricated on glass slides using a spin-coating technique. Last, self-powered sensing capability of the MLO composites strain sensor will be validated by measuring DC voltage (DCV) in close proximity of the ZnS:Cu/PDMS subjected to cyclic tensile loadings.

A self-powered damage detection sensor

2003 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Elvin ◽  
A Elvin ◽  
D. H Choi
Keyword(s):  
Strain Sensor ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Power Source ◽  
Central Processor ◽  
Renewable Power ◽  
External Power Source ◽  
Environmentally Safe ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
External Power ◽  
Self Powered

All existing methods of embedded damage-detecting sensors require an external power source and a means of transmitting the data to a central processor. This paper presents a novel self-powered strain sensor capable of transmitting data wirelessly to a remote receiver. This paper illustrates the performance of the sensor through the theoretical and experimental analysis of a simple damaged beam. The results show that a sensor powered through the conversion of mechanical to electrical energy is viable for detecting damage. The potential benefits of this sensor include ease of implementation during manufacture of the structure, and the use of an environmentally safe and renewable power source.

Self-Powered Strain Sensor based on the Piezo-Transmittance of a Mechanical Metamaterial

Nano Energy ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 106447
Author(s):  
Jimin Gu ◽  
Junseong Ahn ◽  
Jiyoung Jung ◽  
Seokjoo Cho ◽  
Jungrak Choi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Strain Sensor ◽  
Self Powered

scholarly journals Corrugated Photoactive Thin Films for Flexible Strain Sensor

Materials ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1970 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donghyeon Ryu ◽  
Alfred Mongare
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Thin Films ◽  
Electrical Properties ◽  
Tensile Strain ◽  
Strain Sensor ◽  
Strain Sensors ◽  
Optical And Electrical Properties ◽  
Strain Sensing ◽  
Dc Voltage ◽  
Flexible Strain Sensor

In this study, a flexible strain sensor is devised using corrugated bilayer thin films consisting of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-polystyrene(sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). In previous studies, the P3HT-based photoactive non-corrugated thin film was shown to generate direct current (DC) under broadband light, and the generated DC voltage varied with applied tensile strain. Yet, the mechanical resiliency and strain sensing range of the P3HT-based thin film strain sensor were limited due to brittle non-corrugated thin film constituents. To address this issue, it is aimed to design a mechanically resilient strain sensor using corrugated thin film constituents. Buckling is induced to form corrugation in the thin films by applying pre-strain to the substrate, where the thin films are deposited, and releasing the pre-strain afterwards. It is known that corrugated thin film constituents exhibit different optical and electronic properties from non-corrugated ones. Therefore, to design the flexible strain sensor, it was studied to understand how the applied pre-strain and thickness of the PEDOT:PSS conductive thin film affects the optical and electrical properties. In addition, strain effect was investigated on the optical and electrical properties of the corrugated thin film constituents. Finally, flexible strain sensors are fabricated by following the design guideline, which is suggested from the studies on the corrugated thin film constituents, and the DC voltage strain sensing capability of the flexible strain sensors was validated. As a result, the flexible strain sensor exhibited a tensile strain sensing range up to 5% at a frequency up to 15 Hz with a maximum gauge factor ~7.

scholarly journals Detachable Robotic Grippers for Human-Robot Collaboration

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zubair Iqbal ◽  
Maria Pozzi ◽  
Domenico Prattichizzo ◽  
Gionata Salvietti
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Tactile Feedback ◽  
Industrial Robots ◽  
Physical Interaction ◽  
Robot Arm ◽  
Robotic Hands ◽  
End Effector ◽  
External Power ◽  
Self Powered ◽  
Automatic Tool

Collaborative robots promise to add flexibility to production cells thanks to the fact that they can work not only close to humans but also with humans. The possibility of a direct physical interaction between humans and robots allows to perform operations that were inconceivable with industrial robots. Collaborative soft grippers have been recently introduced to extend this possibility beyond the robot end-effector, making humans able to directly act on robotic hands. In this work, we propose to exploit collaborative grippers in a novel paradigm in which these devices can be easily attached and detached from the robot arm and used also independently from it. This is possible only with self-powered hands, that are still quite uncommon in the market. In the presented paradigm not only hands can be attached/detached to/from the robot end-effector as if they were simple tools, but they can also remain active and fully functional after detachment. This ensures all the advantages brought in by tool changers, that allow for quick and possibly automatic tool exchange at the robot end-effector, but also gives the possibility of using the hand capabilities and degrees of freedom without the need of an arm or of external power supplies. In this paper, the concept of detachable robotic grippers is introduced and demonstrated through two illustrative tasks conducted with a new tool changer designed for collaborative grippers. The novel tool changer embeds electromagnets that are used to add safety during attach/detach operations. The activation of the electromagnets is controlled through a wearable interface capable of providing tactile feedback. The usability of the system is confirmed by the evaluations of 12 users.

Distributed strain sensing for structural monitoring applications

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 873-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael DeMerchant ◽  
Anthony Brown ◽  
Jeff Smith ◽  
Xiaoyi Bao ◽  
Theodore Bremner
Keyword(s):  
Strain Measurement ◽  
Measurement Accuracy ◽  
Brillouin Scattering ◽  
Strain Sensor ◽  
Structural Monitoring ◽  
Strain Sensing ◽  
Fibre Optics ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
The University ◽  
Distributed Strain

Strain sensors are a valuable tool for assessing the health of structures. The University of New Brunswick, in conjunction with ISIS Canada, is developing a distributed fibre optic strain sensor based on Brillouin scattering. This sensor can provide a virtually unlimited number of measurement points using a single optical fibre. A description of the operating principles of the system is given, along with a summary of laboratory test results. Strain measurement accuracy as high as approximately ±11 µε has been demonstrated at 1 m spatial resolution. Spatial resolutions as short as 100 mm can be used, although with decreased strain measurement accuracy. Future development of the technology will include an enhancement allowing both strain and temperature to be measured simultaneously.Key words: strain sensor, fibre optics, distributed sensing, structural monitoring, Brillouin scattering.

Tough biomimetic films for harnessing natural evaporation for various self-powered devices

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (37) ◽  
pp. 19269-19277
Author(s):  
Tian Yang ◽  
Honglin Yuan ◽  
Sitong Wang ◽  
Xuhan Gao ◽  
Huhu Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Natural Water ◽  
Design Feature ◽  
Power Input ◽  
Water Evaporation ◽  
Soft Robots ◽  
Ionic Crosslinking ◽  
External Power ◽  
Self Powered

The biomimetic films with ionic crosslinking design feature excellent mechanical properties in both dry and wet states, which could be used as actuators, soft robots, and generators powered by natural water evaporation without external power input.

A photovoltaic self-powered gas sensor based on a single-walled carbon nanotube/Si heterojunction

Nanoscale ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (47) ◽  
pp. 18579-18583 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Liu ◽  
G. H. Li ◽  
Y. Wang ◽  
Y. Y. Wang ◽  
T. Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotube ◽  
Visible Light ◽  
Gas Sensor ◽  
Power Source ◽  
Single Walled Carbon Nanotube ◽  
External Power Source ◽  
External Power ◽  
Gas Molecules ◽  
Self Powered ◽  
Trace Concentrations

A self-powered gas sensor activated by visible light which can detect trace concentrations of gas molecules without an external power source.

Correlating Piezoelectric Polymer/Carbon Nanotubes Nanocomposite Strain Sensor with Reliability and Optimization Tools

2011 ◽  
Vol 146 ◽  
pp. 137-146
Author(s):  
Khalil El-Hami ◽  
Abdelkhalak El Hami
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Strain Sensor ◽  
Strain Sensing ◽  
Reliability Based Design Optimization ◽  
Total Change ◽  
Efficient Tool ◽  
Reliability Based Design ◽  
Piezoelectric Polymer ◽  
Experimental Strain ◽  
Reliability Based Optimization

Carbon nanotubes with polymers offers great advantages in improving material for both mechanical and electrical nanostructures. Design and fabrication have to consider that a local change in each compound accounts to the total change of physical properties in nanocomposite materials. This paper presents two parts of study. A model of strain nanosensor has been developed by using the polyvinylidne fluoride and trifluoroethylene P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer and carbon nanotubes in sandwich nanostructure [P(VDF-TrFE)/SWCNTs/ P(VDF-TrFE)] as a new application in nanotechnology domain. The experimental strain sensing was about 10-4. On the other hand, reliability-based optimization is assessed for an efficient tool to consider this nanosensors nanodevice. We put emphasis on the combination of physical modeling and reliability based design optimization of nanomaterials. After investigation, we could make suggestions such as how to improve the reliability of nanodevices and nanosystems, and how to reduce cost and economic rates.

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