PDMS Sponges with Embedded Carbon Nanotubes as Piezoresistive Sensors for Human Motion Detection.
Nanomaterials (Basel)
; 11(7)2021 Jul 01.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34361125
ABSTRACT
Porous piezoresistive sensors offer promising flexible sensing functionality, such as human joint motion detection and gesture identification. Herein, a facile fabrication method is developed using a microwave-based rapid porogen removal technique for the manufacturing of porous nanocomposite sponges consisting of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and well-dispersed carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The porogen amounts and CNT loadings are varied to tailor the porosity and electrical properties of the porous sensors. The sponges are characterized by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to compare their microstructures, validate the high-quality CNT dispersion, and confirm the successful nanofiller embedding within the elastomeric matrix. Sponges with a 3 wt% CNT loading demonstrate the highest piezoresistive sensitivity. Experimental characterization shows that the sponges with low porosity have long durability and minimal strain rate dependence. Additionally, the developed sponges with 3 wt% CNTs are employed for the human motion detection using piezoresistive method. One experiment includes fingertip compression measurements on a prosthetic hand. Moreover, the sensors are attached to the chest, elbow, and knee of a user to detect breathing, running, walking, joint bending, and throwing motions.
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
Language:
En
Journal:
Nanomaterials (Basel)
Year:
2021
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States