Ultrasensitive and Self-Powered PDVF Nanofiber Strain Sensors
This technology has applications in wearable electronic, sport performance monitoring and human motion capture, structural health monitoring and rehabilitation, as well as artificial limbs.
Researchers
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electrical device and method of manufacturing an electrical device
Patent Cooperation Treaty | Published application
Figures
Electrospun nanofiber strain sensors (a) Nanofibers collected on a stationary substrate (b) Aligned nanofibers collected by mounting the substrate on a rotating mandrel (c) Proof-of-concept experiments that demonstrate motion sensing for improving the functionality of robotic limbs. Each case shows the response of the strain sensor to the bending of the corresponding finger.
Technology
The invention utilizes special properties of Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-derived sensor technology to produce an inexpensive, self-powered and ultrasensitive strain sensor with a high response speed, high stretchability, and strong piezoelectric behavior. Utilizing a new fabrication process and a special synthetic polymer substance, PVDF, the inventors developed a strain sensor with novel characteristics. The simple fabrication method retains the innate flexibility of PVDF, while guaranteeing strong piezoelectric behavior, reliability in manufacture and high yields in fabrication. The resulting strain sensor is ultrasensitive, flexible and self-powered, making it an ideal candidate for wearable electronics applications, with potential for use in large area arrays.
Problem Addressed
With the advent of artificial limb and advanced human motion capturing technology, stretchable, self-powered and ultrasensitive nano-sensors exhibiting strong piezoelectric behavior are requisite. Current sensor technology relies on expensive and externally-powered sensors with complex designs and low stretchability.
Advantages
- High response speed and stretchability with strong piezoelectric behavior
- Simple and inexpensive fabrication process ensures reliability and repeatability
- Self-powered design ideal for wearable electronics applications
Publications
M. Asadnia, et al. "Ultra-sensitive and stretchable strain sensor based on piezoelectric polymeric nanofibers," 2015 28th IEEE International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), Estoril, Portugal, 2015, pp. 678-681, doi: 10.1109/MEMSYS.2015.7051048.
Kottapalli AGP, et al. "Soft polymer membrane micro-sensor arrays inspired by the mechanosensory lateral line on the blind cavefish." Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures. 2015;26(1):38-46. doi:10.1177/1045389X14521702
M. Asadnia, et al. "Flexible and Surface-Mountable Piezoelectric Sensor Arrays for Underwater Sensing in Marine Vehicles," in IEEE Sensors Journal, vol. 13, no. 10, pp. 3918-3925, Oct. 2013, doi: 10.1109/JSEN.2013.2259227.
Stankovic, J.A., & He, T. (2012). Energy management in sensor networks. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 370(1958). doi:10.1098/rsta.2011.0195.
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