A New Multiscale Bioinspired Compliant Sensor

摘要: A challenge in fabricating compliant electrical sensors for various applications, such as wearable electronics, has been the lack of compatible connection concepts that are reliable and can support large levels force without failure. Recently, we have developed compliant, carbon-based strain thermal using nanosized exfoliated graphite (EG) dispersed latex highly deformable (>50 % strain) piezoresistive. They undergo changes resistance, resulting sensitive (1 × 10−3/μstrain) 10−3/K) measurement sensors. Such typically attached to external wiring conductive silver epoxies or paints. However, epoxy metal wires rigid, they detach from sensor at low load levels. By micron-sized braided carbon fibers instead metal, a composite epoxy, mechano-electrical interface is created significantly higher bearing capacity than achieved with wires, an inherent resistivity only 1.7 10−3 Ω−cm. The similar sensory nerve receptor where percolated network EG act “receptors,” while micro-sized fiber acts ganglion attaching central nervous system. “biologically inspired” multi-scale temperature advantages addition durability, including amenability additive manufacturing processes, ease fabrication, scalability. We also demonstrate ability use new sensing material make “sensing gloves” could potentially be used applications recording signals during manual tasks by human hands providing capability robotic hands.