Stretchable polymer foam sensor detects wide range of motion with high sensitivity

A analysis group led by Prof. Wang Lengthy from the Ningbo Institute of Supplies Expertise and Engineering (NIMTE) of the Chinese language Academy of Sciences has developed a extremely stretchable and conductive foam sensor with an ultra-wide operational vary utilizing supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂) foaming. The examine was published in Supplies At present Physics.

Piezoresistive pressure sensors make the most of conductive elastomeric composite foams to detect motion or contact. These sensors are light-weight, extremely compressible, and exhibit secure responses, making them promising for functions in movement monitoring, well being monitoring, human-robot interplay, and robotics.

Porous conductive supplies are promising for versatile electronics; nevertheless, electrical failure or materials harm throughout stretching limits their pressure response vary.

To beat this problem, the researchers launched a porous construction in a segregated composite made from excessive facet ratio carbon nanostructures (CNS) and versatile polyolefin elastomer (POE). By using scCO₂ foaming, they had been in a position to reconstruct the conductive community construction, leading to porous conductive supplies with an ultra-wide pressure response vary.

The developed POE/CNS foam reveals exceptional stretchability (952.5% pressure), elasticity (with a residual pressure of 13.8%), and electrical conductivity (with a resistance of fifty kΩ). The segregated construction provides the POE/CNS foam sensor an distinctive pressure response vary from 0.5% to 762%, considerably outperforming randomly distributed constructions.

Along with excessive sensitivity, speedy response, and excellent reproducibility, the POE/CNS foam sensor maintains secure efficiency over 4,000 tensile cycles, showcasing distinctive long-term sturdiness.

This work presents a easy and eco-friendly methodology for producing high-performance polymer-based foam sensors, indicating robust potential for functions in wearable electronics and engineering gear.