Piezo-resistive Sensor Material for Flexible Pressure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure sensors are rigid and limited in measuring a wide range of pressures, making them unsuitable for flexible and wearable electronics, and they lose precision when measuring pressures beyond a certain range.
Innovation Solution
A pressure sensor composition comprising a crosslinked polymer, conductive carbon material, and elastomeric rubber, specifically using poly(hexamethylene dicarbamoyl) cross linker and poly(bisphenol A-co-epichlorohydrin) with carbon black, carbon nanotubes, or graphene, and elastomeric rubbers like polybutadiene, which provides excellent flexibility and sensitivity across a broad range of pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional rigid pressure sensors are used, then measurement precision is maintained for small pressure changes, but the sensors cannot measure wide range of pressures and are unsuitable for flexible electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the sensor material by using elastomeric polymers that can undergo large deformations. The sensor material transitions from rigid to flexible, allowing it to accommodate a wide pressure range while maintaining measurement precision through controlled deformation of the active layer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining elastomeric polymers with conductive materials and piezoresistive elements. This composite approach enables the sensor to simultaneously achieve flexibility for wide pressure range coverage and precise measurement capability through the synergistic properties of the material components
2Measurement precision
If high-sensitivity sensors are used to detect small pressure changes, then measurement precision is improved, but the sensors lose precision when pressure exceeds a certain range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic response characteristics in the sensor material, allowing it to adapt its mechanical properties based on the applied pressure. The elastomeric polymer structure enables the sensor to maintain linear response and precision across varying pressure levels by dynamically adjusting its deformation characteristics rather than being fixed at a single operating point
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional rigid sensor structures are used, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but the sensors cannot be integrated with flexible and wearable electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible thin film structures made from elastomeric polymers as the sensor substrate. This thin film approach replaces traditional rigid substrates, enabling the sensor to be bent, stretched, and conformal to body surfaces while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled thin film deposition and patterning processes
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 enables pressure sensors that are flexible, stretchable, and sensitive to a wide range of pressures, maintaining high sensitivity and reproducibility even after re-molding with other materials, and can detect pressures from 1.78 kPa to 880 kPa.
Implementation Method 1
pressure sensor composition comprising a crosslinked polymer, conductive carbon material, and elastomeric rubber
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a pressure sensor composition that includes a crosslinked polymer, a conductive carbon material and an elastomeric rubber, pressure sensors including the same, and methods of preparation and use thereof.