• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.116-123
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• 2016

This paper presents the fabrication and evaluation of the novel drag force type air flowmeter using MEMS technologies for the vehicle applications. To obtain the air drag force, the flowmeter utilized the curved beam structure, which was realized by the difference of residual stress between the silicon oxide layer and the silicon nitride layer. The paddle structure was applied for the maximum air drag force, and the dual-beam was adapted to prevent distortion. The basic experiments were performed in the wind tunnel, and the stable outputs were obtained. The device was applied to the internal combustion engine, and the results were compared with the HI-DS output where the convection thermal flowmeter was used as the reference sensor. The results indicated that the comparable resolutions and response times were obtained under the various engine speeds.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2023

In this study, a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based drag force-type flowmeter was fabricated using a graphite-carbon nanotube (CNT) composite as a piezoresistive material and evaluated. The device was in the form of a cantilever, which was composed of the soft material, PDMS, and fabricated using a mold manufactured by a three-dimensional printer. The cost-effective graphite was mixed with CNTs to serve as a piezoresistive material. The optimal mixing ratio was investigated, and the piezoresistive material formed using a graphite:PDMS:CNT ratio of 1.5:1:0.01 was adopted, which showed a stable output and a high sensitivity. Various forward and backward air flows in the range of 0-10 m/s were measured using the fabricated flowmeter, and both tensile and compression characteristics were evaluated. The measured results showed a stable output, with the resistance change gradually increasing with the air flow rate. Repeatability characteristics were also tested at a repeated air flow of 10 m/s, and the flowmeter responded to the applied air flow well. Consequently, the fabricated device has a high sensitivity and can be used as a flowmeter.