3D-Printed Load Cell Using Nanocarbon Composite Strain Sensor

The development of a 3D-Printed Load Cell (PLC) was studied using a nanocarbon composite strain sensor (NCSS) and a 3D printing process. The miniature load cell was fabricated using a low-cost LCD-based 3D printer with UV resin. The NCSS composed of 0.5 wt% MWCNT/epoxy was used to create the flexure of PLC. PLC performance was evaluated under a rated load range; its output was equal to the common value of 2 mV/V. The performance was also evaluated after a calibration in terms of non-linearity, repeatability, and hysteresis, with final results of 2.12%, 1.60%, and 4.42%, respectively. Creep and creep recovery were found to be 1.68 (%FS) and 4.16 (%FS). The relative inferiorities of PLC seem to originate from the inherent hyper-elastic characteristics of polymer sensors. The 3D PLC developed may be a promising solution for the OEM/design-in load cell market and may also result in the development of a novel 3D-printed sensor.

Composites based on conductive polymer with carbon nanotubes in DMMP gas sensors – an overview

A number of recent terrorist attacks make it clear that rapid response, high sensitivity and stability are essential in the development of chemical sensors for the detection of chemical warfare agents. Nerve agent sarin [2-(fluoro-methyl-phosphoryl) oxypropane] is an organophosphate (OP) compound that is recognized as one of the most toxic chemical warfare agents. Considering sarin’s high toxicity, being odorless and colorless, dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) is widely used as its simulant in the laboratory because of its similar chemical structure and much lower toxicity. Thus, this review serves to introduce the development of a variety of fabricated chemical sensors as potential sensing materials for the detection of DMMP in recent years. Furthermore, the research and application of carbon anotubes in DMMP polymer sensors, their sensitivity and limitation are highlighted. For sorption-based sensors, active materials play crucial roles in improving the integral performances of sensors. The novel active materials providing hydrogen-bonds between the polymers and carbon nanotubes are the main focus in this review.

Fluorescent multi-component polymer sensors for sensitive and selective detection of Hg2+/Hg+ ions via fluorescence and colorimetry dual mode

Multi-component polymer (MCP) is a kind of polymer that incorporates multiple components in the main chain or pendant group and has special functions. In this work, small-molecule fluorescent boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY)...

Functional Polymers in Sensors and Actuators: Fabrication and Analysis

Recent advances in fabrication techniques have enabled the production of different types of polymer sensors and actuators that can be utilized in a wide range of applications, such as soft robotics, biomedical, smart textiles and energy harvesting [...]

Humidity calibration of relative humidity devices in Martian conditions

<p>Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) has developed relative humidity measurement devices for past and future Mars lander missions: REMS-H for Curiosity, MEDA HS for Mars 2020 and METEO-H for ExoMars 2020. The sensors used in these devices are HUMICAP® capacitive thin-film polymer sensors by Vaisala Inc. New calibration measurements are performed with ground reference models of these devices in the Mars Simulation Facility (MSF) and Planetary Analog Simulation Laboratory (PASLAB) at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in spring 2020. The preliminary results will be given at the EGU 2020.</p><p><span>Calibration of relative humidity devices requires in minimum two humidity points over the expected operational temperature and pressure range of the device. With two-point calibration the relative humidity devices can be used for scientific measurements with satisfactory quality but the uncertainty is notable. Stable humidity conditions between dry and saturation humidity in Martian conditions can be achieved reliably in very few laboratories in the whole world and humidity measurements in Martian conditions have been previously performed for the same devices in FMI laboratory and in Michigan Mars Environmental Chamber (MMEC) at the University of Michigan.</span></p><p><span>The new measurement campaign will consist of stable humidity point measurements in multiple temperatures between +10°C to -70°C in CO</span><sub><span>2</span></sub><span> gas and Martian pressure of approximately 7 hPa. The measurements are performed simultaneously for multiple devices in a small pressure vessel with continuous humidified carbon dioxide flow.</span></p><p>The new measurement campaign will improve the characterization of the existing relative humidity devices in Mars lander missions and define in more detail the measurement uncertainties.</p>