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Date

2021-07-01

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Creative Commons
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as Attribution 4.0 International

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.

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Keywords

Piezoresistive sensor, Wearable electronics, Nanocomposite sponge, Human motion monitoring, Semiconductors, Carbon nanotubes, Elastomers, Flexible sensors

Citation

Herren B, Webster V, Davidson E, Saha MC, Altan MC, Liu Y. PDMS Sponges with Embedded Carbon Nanotubes as Piezoresistive Sensors for Human Motion Detection. Nanomaterials. 2021; 11(7):1740. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11071740

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Sponsorship

This research was funded by the support of the Vice President for Research and Partnerships of the University of Oklahoma. Open Access fees paid for in whole or in part by the University of Oklahoma Libraries.