Amorphous Metal Stretchable Multimodal Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wearable sensors with conductive nanotubes are prone to cracking under external forces, compromising their electrical characteristics and longevity due to lack of flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A stretchable multimode sensor is developed using a flexible substrate with pressure, optical, and temperature sensors, each incorporating amorphous metals, along with a switching element, to maintain electrical properties under mechanical stress, featuring a core-shell structure and controlled process pressure for enhanced flexibility and reduced production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conductive nanotubes are used in pressure sensors, then electrical conductivity is achieved, but the sensor becomes prone to cracking under external forces due to lack of flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional conductive nanotubes to amorphous metal alloys, which possess both electrical conductivity and exceptional flexibility. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by providing a material that maintains electrical characteristics while being highly resistant to cracking under external forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures, specifically core-shell type amorphous metal alloy structures, where the amorphous metal core provides flexibility and the shell provides structural stability. This composite approach allows the sensor to maintain both electrical conductivity and resistance to cracking.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensor types are integrated into a single device, then sensing capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by integrating pressure, optical, and temperature sensing capabilities into a single sensor device. The amorphous metal alloy material serves multiple functions as it can be configured for different sensing modalities, reducing the need for separate specialized sensors and simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple sensor types (pressure, optical, temperature) into a single integrated device structure. By combining these sensing functions in one device with a unified amorphous metal alloy base material, the patent reduces manufacturing complexity compared to producing and assembling separate sensors.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a stretchable sensor with improved flexibility, extended lifespan, and enhanced performance, capable of maintaining electrical characteristics under external forces while reducing production time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
A stretchable multimode sensor includes a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a temperature sensor, and a switching element, each comprising an amorphous metal
Data Source
AI summary
A stretchable multimode sensor and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The stretchable multimode sensor may include a substrate which is formed of a flexible material and includes a pressure sensor area, an optical sensor area, a temperature sensor area and a switching element area, a pressure sensor which is disposed on the pressure sensor area and includes an amorphous metal, an optical sensor which is disposed on the optical sensor area and includes an amorphous metal, and a temperature sensor which is disposed on the temperature sensor area and includes an amorphous metal, and a switching element which is disposed on the switching element area and includes an amorphous metal.