A Transparent Strain Sensor Based on PDMS-Embedded Conductive Fabric for Wearable Sensing Applications

Nag, Anindya; Simorangkir, Roy B. V. B.; Valentin, Elizabeth; Bjorninen, Toni; Ukkonen, Leena; Hashmi, Raheel M.; Mukhopadhyay, Subhas Chandra

Abstract

In this paper, we present a new approach to realize flexible transparent strain sensors. It combines the use of transparent conductive fabric with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) through a simple and straightforward layer-by-layer assembly process. The conductive fabric is used to realize the transparent electrodes while the PDMS is utilized as both the substrate and encapsulation layers. As a concept demonstration, an interdigital capacitive sensor is designed and fabricated using the proposed approach. The fabricated sensor is then characterized in terms of its transparency and electro-mechanical nature. This is followed by the application of the sensor in several physiological sensing scenarios, including the sensing of various body-part movements and tactile sensing. Apart from a high optical transparency (~70%), the sensor shows promising sensing results which validate the applicability of the proposed approach for realization of flexible and transparent strain sensors for wearable sensing applications.

Citation

Nag, A., Simorangkir, R. B. V. B., Valentin, E., Bjorninen, T., Ukkonen, L., Hashmi, R. M., & Mukhopadhyay, S. C. (2018). A Transparent Strain Sensor Based on PDMS-Embedded Conductive Fabric for Wearable Sensing Applications. IEEE Access, 6, 71020-71027. https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2018.2881463

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 12, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Nov 15, 2018
• Publication Date: 2018
• Deposit Date: Oct 19, 2023
• Journal: IEEE Access
• Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 6
• Pages: 71020-71027
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2018.2881463
• Keywords: General Engineering; General Materials Science; General Computer Science
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1791882