scholarly journals A Novel Textile Stitch-Based Strain Sensor for Wearable End Users

Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orathai Tangsirinaruenart ◽  
George Stylios
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Electrical Resistance ◽  
Body Movement ◽  
Strain Sensor ◽  
Strain Sensors ◽  
Gauge Factor ◽  
Heart Monitoring ◽  
Textile Sensors ◽  
Good Repeatability ◽  
The Ideal

This research presents an investigation of novel textile-based strain sensors and evaluates their performance. The electrical resistance and mechanical properties of seven different textile sensors were measured. The sensors are made up of a conductive thread, composed of silver plated nylon 117/17 2-ply, 33 tex and 234/34 4-ply, 92 tex and formed in different stitch structures (304, 406, 506, 605), and sewn directly onto a knit fabric substrate (4.44 tex/2 ply, with 2.22, 4.44 and 7.78 tex spandex and 7.78 tex/2 ply, with 2.22 and 4.44 tex spandex). Analysis of the effects of elongation with respect to resistance indicated the ideal configuration for electrical properties, especially electrical sensitivity and repeatability. The optimum linear working range of the sensor with minimal hysteresis was found, and the sensor’s gauge factor indicated that the sensitivity of the sensor varied significantly with repeating cycles. The electrical resistance of the various stitch structures changed significantly, while the amount of drift remained negligible. Stitch 304 2-ply was found to be the most suitable for strain movement. This sensor has a wide working range, well past 50%, and linearity (R2 is 0.984), low hysteresis (6.25% ΔR), good gauge factor (1.61), and baseline resistance (125 Ω), as well as good repeatability (drift in R2 is −0.0073). The stitch-based sensor developed in this research is expected to find applications in garments as wearables for physiological wellbeing monitoring such as body movement, heart monitoring, and limb articulation measurement.

scholarly journals Polymer-Based Self-Standing Flexible Strain Sensor

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Martinez ◽  
Gregorio Obieta ◽  
Ion Uribe ◽  
Tomasz Sikora ◽  
Estibalitz Ochoteco
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Electrical Resistance ◽  
Strain Sensor ◽  
Strain Sensors ◽  
Gauge Factor ◽  
Wearable Electronics ◽  
Rehabilitation Devices ◽  
Flexible Strain Sensor

The design and characterization of polymer-based self-standing flexible strain sensors are presented in this work. Properties as lightness and flexibility make them suitable for the measurement of strain in applications related with wearable electronics such as robotics or rehabilitation devices. Several sensors have been fabricated to analyze the influence of size and electrical conductivity on their behavior. Elongation and applied charge were precisely controlled in order to measure different parameters as electrical resistance, gauge factor (GF), hysteresis, and repeatability. The results clearly show the influence of size and electrical conductivity on the gauge factor, but it is also important to point out the necessity of controlling the hysteresis and repeatability of the response for precision-demanding applications.

Highly Stretchable Resistive Strain Sensors Using Multiple Viscous Conductive Materials

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongyang Shi ◽  
Xinda Qi ◽  
Yunqi Cao ◽  
Nelson Sepúlveda ◽  
Chuan Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Strain ◽  
Strain Sensor ◽  
Strain Sensors ◽  
Fabrication Process ◽  
Gauge Factor ◽  
Wearable Electronics ◽  
Detection Range ◽  
Conductive Materials ◽  
Highly Stretchable ◽  
Good Repeatability

Abstract This paper proposes a highly stretchable strain sensor using viscous conductive materials as resistive element and introduces a simple and economic fabrication process by encapsulating the conductive materials between two layers of silicone rubbers Ecoflex 00-30. The fabrication process of the strain sensor is presented, and the properties of the viscous conductive materials are studied. Characterization shows that the sensor with conductive gels, toothpastes, carbon paint, and carbon grease can sustain a maximum tensile strain of 200% and retain good repeatability, with a strain gauge factor of 2.0, 1.75, 3.0, and 7.5, respectively. Furthermore, strain sensors with graphite and carbon nanotubes mixed with conductive gels are fabricated to explore how to improve the gauge factor. With a focus on the most promising material, conductive carbon grease, cyclic stretching tests are conducted and show good repeatability at 100% strain for 100 cycles. Lastly, it is demonstrated that the stretchable strain sensor made of carbon grease is capable of measuring finger bending. With its easy and low-cost fabrication process, large strain detection range and good gauge factor, the conductive materials-based strain sensors are promising for future biomedical, wearable electronics and rehabilitation applications.

scholarly journals Development of Highly Sensitive Strain Sensor Using Area-Arrayed Graphene Nanoribbons

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1701
Author(s):  
Ken Suzuki ◽  
Ryohei Nakagawa ◽  
Qinqiang Zhang ◽  
Hideo Miura
Keyword(s):  
Graphene Nanoribbons ◽  
Strain Sensor ◽  
Strain Sensors ◽  
Sensitive Strain ◽  
Bending Test ◽  
Gauge Factor ◽  
Four Point Bending ◽  
Current Voltage ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Current Voltage Relationship

In this study, a basic design of area-arrayed graphene nanoribbon (GNR) strain sensors was proposed to realize the next generation of strain sensors. To fabricate the area-arrayed GNRs, a top-down approach was employed, in which GNRs were cut out from a large graphene sheet using an electron beam lithography technique. GNRs with widths of 400 nm, 300 nm, 200 nm, and 50 nm were fabricated, and their current-voltage characteristics were evaluated. The current values of GNRs with widths of 200 nm and above increased linearly with increasing applied voltage, indicating that these GNRs were metallic conductors and a good ohmic junction was formed between graphene and the electrode. There were two types of GNRs with a width of 50 nm, one with a linear current–voltage relationship and the other with a nonlinear one. We evaluated the strain sensitivity of the 50 nm GNR exhibiting metallic conduction by applying a four-point bending test, and found that the gauge factor of this GNR was about 50. Thus, GNRs with a width of about 50 nm can be used to realize a highly sensitive strain sensor.

scholarly journals A novel strain sensor using a microchannel embedded in PDMS

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelica Campigotto ◽  
Stephane Leahy ◽  
Ayan Choudhury ◽  
Guowei Zhao ◽  
Yongjun Lai
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Rotation Angle ◽  
Strain Sensor ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Strain Sensors ◽  
Gauge Factor ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Higher Sensitivity

A novel, inexpensive, and easy-to-use strain sensor using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)  was developed. The sensor consists of a microchannel that is partially filled with a coloured liquid and embedded in a piece of PDMS. A finite element model was developed to optimize the geometry of the microchannel to achieve higher sensitivity. The highest gauge factor that was measured experimentally was 41. The gauge factor was affected by the microchannel’s square cross-sectional area, the number of basic units in the microchannel, and the inlet and outlet configuration. As a case study, the developed strain sensors were used to measure the rotation angle of the wrist and finger joints.

scholarly journals A Fully Inkjet-Printed Strain Sensor Based on Carbon Nanotubes

Coatings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 792 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsuan-Ling Kao ◽  
Cheng-Lin Cho ◽  
Li-Chun Chang ◽  
Chun-Bing Chen ◽  
Wen-Hung Chung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Surface Morphology ◽  
Silver Film ◽  
Strain Sensor ◽  
Strain Sensors ◽  
Gauge Factor ◽  
Lower Sensitivity ◽  
High Reproducibility ◽  
Silver Films ◽  
Microcrack Detection

A fully inkjet-printed strain sensor based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was fabricated in this study for microstrain and microcrack detection. Carbon nanotubes and silver films were used as the sensing layer and conductive layer, respectively. Inkjet-printed CNTs easily undergo agglomeration due to van der Waals forces between CNTs, resulting in uneven films. The uniformity of CNT film affects the electrical and mechanical properties. Multi-pass printing and pattern rotation provided precise quantities of sensing materials, enabling the realization of uniform CNT films and stable resistance. Three strain sensors printed eight-layer CNT film by unidirectional printing, rotated by 180° and 90° were compared. The low density on one side of eight-layer CNT film by unidirectional printing results in more disconnection and poor connectivity with the silver film, thereby, significantly increasing the resistance. For 180° rotation eight-layer strain sensors, lower sensitivity and smaller measured range were found because strain was applied to the uneven CNT film resulting in non-uniform strain distribution. Lower resistance and better strain sensitivity was obtained for eight-layer strain sensor with 90° rotation because of uniform film. Given the uniform surface morphology and saturated sheet resistance of the 20-layer CNT film, the strain performance of the 20-layer CNT strain sensor was also examined. Excluding the permanent destruction of the first strain, 0.76% and 1.05% responses were obtained for the 8- and 20-layer strain sensors under strain between 0% and 3128 µε, respectively, which demonstrates the high reproducibility and recoverability of the sensor. The gauge factor (GF) of 20-layer strain sensor was found to be 2.77 under strain from 71 to 3128 µε, which is higher than eight-layer strain sensor (GF = 1.93) due to the uniform surface morphology and stable resistance. The strain sensors exhibited a highly linear and reversible behavior under strain of 71 to 3128 µε, so that the microstrain level could be clearly distinguished. The technology of the fully inkjet-printed CNT-based microstrain sensor provides high reproducibility, stability, and rapid hardness detection.

Simulation and Analysis of Strain Sensitivity of CNT-Based Strain Sensors

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (05n06) ◽  
pp. 1660005
Author(s):  
Gaurav Sapra ◽  
Renu Vig ◽  
Manu Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Percolation Threshold ◽  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Strain Sensor ◽  
Applied Strain ◽  
Strain Sensors ◽  
Tunneling Effect ◽  
Gauge Factor ◽  
Strain Sensitivity ◽  
Total Resistance ◽  
Intrinsic Resistance

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) is turning out to be a replacement to all the existing traditional sensors due to their high gauge factor, multidirectional sensing capability, high flexibility, low mass density, high dynamic range and high sensitivity to strains at nano and macro- scales. The strain sensitivity of CNT-based strain sensors depends on number of parameters; quality and quantity of CNT used, type of polymer used, deposition and dispersion technique adopted and also on environmental conditions. Due to all these parameters, the piezoresistive behavior of CNT is diversified and it needs to be explored. This paper theoretically analyses the strain sensitivity of CNT-based strain sensors. The strain sensitivity response of CNT strain sensor is a result of change in total resistance of CNT network with respect to applied strain. The total resistance of CNT network consists of intrinsic resistance and inter-tube resistance. It has been found that the change in intrinsic resistance under strain is due to the variation of bandgap of individual, which depends on the chirality of the tube and it varies exponentially with strain. The inter-tube resistance of CNT network changes nonlinearly due to change in distance between neighboring CNTs with respect to applied strain. As the distance [Formula: see text] between CNTs increases due to applied strain, tunneling resistance [Formula: see text] increases nonlinearly in exponential manner. When the concentration of CNTs in composite is close to percolation threshold, then the change of inter-tube resistances is more dominant than intrinsic resistance. At percolation threshold, the total resistance of CNT networks changes nonlinearly and this effect of nonlinearity is due to tunneling effect. The strain sensitivity of CNT-based strain sensors also varies nonlinearly with the change in temperature. For the change of temperature from [Formula: see text]C to 50[Formula: see text]C, there is more than 100% change in strain sensitivity of CNT/polymer composite strain sensor. This change is mainly due to the infiltration of polymer into CNTs.

Capacitor Strain Sensor for Enhancing Feedback to Patients Recovering From a Stroke

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phil Denen ◽  
Matthew Colachis ◽  
Amy M. Heintz ◽  
Krenar Shqau ◽  
Andrew Sweeney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Dielectric Constant ◽  
Strain Sensor ◽  
Strain Sensors ◽  
Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Novel Material ◽  
Strain Sensor Array ◽  
Capacitive Strain ◽  
High Dielectric

Abstract Embedded sensors in footwear are of interest for providing feedback on mobility and gait. The most sensitive location is within the sole, requiring development of new materials that have the required functional and mechanical properties. We are developing capacitive strain sensors. The performance of such sensorsis dictated by two fundamental materials properties: dielectric constant (ε) and hardness. The sensitivity is improved by a high dielectric constant and low hardness. This paper describes a novel material that combines a composite elastomeric polymer and single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The optimum SWCNT loading in a polyurethane with 80A shore hardness was determined to be 0.1 vol% which delivered a high SNR and maintained its mechanical properties (hardness). Data collected from a shoe strain sensor array of this material can be used for automatic recognition of postures and activities, for characterization of extremity use, and to provide behavioral enhancing feedback to patients recovering from a stroke.

scholarly journals Ultrasensitive Strain Sensor Based on Pre-Generated Crack Networks Using Ag Nanoparticles/Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube (SWCNT) Hybrid Fillers and a Polyester Woven Elastic Band

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 2531
Author(s):  
Yelin Ko ◽  
Ji-seon Kim ◽  
Chi Cuong Vu ◽  
Jooyong Kim
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Strain Sensor ◽  
Strain Range ◽  
Human Motion ◽  
Strain Sensors ◽  
Gauge Factor ◽  
Elastic Band ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Single Walled Carbon ◽  
Novel Strategy

Flexible strain sensors are receiving a great deal of interest owing to their prospective applications in monitoring various human activities. Among various efforts to enhance the sensitivity of strain sensors, pre-crack generation has been well explored for elastic polymers but rarely on textile substrates. Herein, a highly sensitive textile-based strain sensor was fabricated via a dip-coat-stretch approach: a polyester woven elastic band was dipped into ink containing single-walled carbon nanotubes coated with silver paste and pre-stretched to generate prebuilt cracks on the surface. Our sensor demonstrated outstanding sensitivity (a gauge factor of up to 3550 within a strain range of 1.5–5%), high stability and durability, and low hysteresis. The high performance of this sensor is attributable to the excellent elasticity and woven structure of the fabric substrate, effectively generating and propagating the prebuilt cracks. The strain sensor integrated into firefighting gloves detected detailed finger angles and cyclic finger motions, demonstrating its capability for subtle human motion monitoring. It is also noteworthy that this novel strategy is a very quick, straightforward, and scalable method of fabricating strain sensors, which is extremely beneficial for practical applications.

A comparative study of knitted strain sensors fabricated with conductive composite and coated yarns

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafiu King Raji ◽  
Xuhong Miao ◽  
Shu Zhang ◽  
Yutian Li ◽  
Ailan Wan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Strain Sensor ◽  
Strain Sensors ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Conductive Composite ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Blended Yarn ◽  
Spun Yarn ◽  
Conductive Yarns

PurposeThe use of conductive yarns or wires to design and construct fabric-based strain sensors is a research area that is gaining much attention in recent years. This is based on a profound theory that conductive yarns will have a variation in resistance if subjected to tension. What is not clear is to which types of conductive yarns are most suited to delivering the right sensitivity. The purpose of this paper is to look at strain sensors knitted with conductive composite and coated yarns which include core spun, blended, coated and commingled yarns. The conductive components are stainless steel and silver coating respectively with polyester as the nonconductive part. Using Stoll CMS 530 flat knitting machine, five samples each were knitted with the mentioned yarn categories using 1×1 rib structure. Sensitivity tests were carried out on the samples. Piezoresistive response of the samples reveals that yarns with heterogeneous external structures showed both an increase and a decrease in resistance, whereas those with homogenous structures responded linearly to stress. Stainless steel based yarns also had higher piezoresistive range compared to the silver-coated ones. However, comparing all the knitted samples, silver-coated yarn (SCY) proved to be more suitable for strain sensor as its response to tension was unidirectional with an appreciable range of change in resistance.Design/methodology/approachConductive composite yarns, namely, core spun yarn (CSY1), core spun yarn (CSY2), silver-coated blended yarn (SCBY), staple fiber blended yarn (SFBY) and commingled yarn (CMY) were sourced based on specifications and used to knit strain sensor samples. Electro-mechanical properties were investigated by stretching on a fabric tensile machine to ascertain their suitability for a textile strain sensor.FindingsIn order to generate usable signal for a strain sensor for a conductive yarn, it must have persistent and consistent conductive links, both externally and internally. In the case of composite yarns such as SFBY, SCBY and CMY where there were no consistent alignment and inter-yarn contact, resistance change fluctuated. Among all six different types of yarns used, SCY presented the most suitable result as its response to tension was unidirectional with an appreciable range of change in resistance.Originality/valueThis is an original research carried out by the authors who studied the electro-mechanical properties of some composite conductive yarns that have not been studied before in textile strain sensor research. Detailed research methods, results and interpretation of the results have thus been presented.

Ultra-stretchable and highly sensitive strain sensor based on gradient structure carbon nanotubes

Nanoscale ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (28) ◽  
pp. 13599-13606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Binghao Liang ◽  
Zhiqiang Lin ◽  
Wenjun Chen ◽  
Zhongfu He ◽  
Jing Zhong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Carbon Nanotube ◽  
Strain Sensor ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Strain Sensors ◽  
Sensitive Strain ◽  
Gauge Factor ◽  
Gradient Structure ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Highly Stretchable

A highly stretchable and sensitive strain sensor based on a gradient carbon nanotube was developed. The strain sensors show an unprecedented combination of both high sensitivity (gauge factor = 13.5) and ultra-stretchability (>550%).

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