• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.145-150
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• 2022

The importance of flexible polymer-based pressure sensors is growing in fields like healthcare monitoring, tactile recognition, gesture recognition, human-machine interface, and robot skin. In particular, health monitoring and tactile devices require high sensor sensitivity. Researchers have worked on sensor material and structure to achieve high sensitivity. A simple and effective method has been to employ three-dimensional pressure sensors. Three-dimensional (3D) structures dramatically increase sensor sensitivity by achieving larger local deformations for the same pressure. In this paper, the performance, manufacturing method, material, and structure of high-sensitivity flexible pressure sensors based on 3D structures, are reviewed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.104-109
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• 2021

Tactile sensors and integrated circuits that detect external stimuli have been developed for use in various industries. Most tactile sensors have been developed using the MEMS(micro electro-mechanical systems) process in which metal electrodes and strain sensors are applied to a silicon substrate. However, tactile sensors made of highly brittle silicon lack flexibility and are prone to damage by external forces. Flexible tactile sensors based on polydimethylsiloxane and using a multi-walled carbon nano-tube mixture as a pressure-sensitive material are currently being developed as an alternative to overcome these limitations. In this study, a manufacturing process of pressure-sensitive materials with low initial electrical resistance is developed and applied to the fabrication of flexible tactile sensors. In addition, flexible tactile sensors are developed with pressure-sensitive materials dispensed on a substrate with flexible mechanical properties. Finally, a study is conducted on the change in electrical resistance of pressure-sensitive materials according to the modulus of elasticity of the substrate.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.233-243
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• 2017

This paper proposes a structure of direct-printed flexible tactile-sensor. These flexible tactile sensors are based on pressure-sensing materials that allow pressure to be measured according to resistance change that in turn results from changes in material size because of compressive force. The sensing material consists of a mixture of multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and TangoPlus, which gives it flexibility and elasticity. The tactile sensors used in this study were designed in the form of array structures composed of many lines so that single pressure points can be measured. To evaluate the performance of the flexible tactile sensor, we used specially designed signal-processing electronics and tactile sensors to experimentally verify the sensors' linearity. To test object grasp, tactile sensors were attached to the surface of the fingers of grippers with three degrees of freedom to measure the pressure changes that occur during object grasp. The results of these experiments indicate that the flexible tactile sensor-based robotic gripper can grasp objects and hold them in a stable manner.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.277.2-277.2
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• 2014

For next-generation electronic applications, human-machine interface devices have recently been demonstrated such as the wearable computer as well as the electronic skin (e-skin). For integration of those systems, it is essential to develop many kinds of components including displays, energy generators and sensors. In particular, flexible sensing devices to detect some stimuli like strain, pressure, light, temperature, gase and humidity have been investigated for last few decades. Among many condidates, a pressure sensing device based on organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) is one of interesting structure in flexible touch displays, bio-monitoring and e-skin because of their flexibility. In this study, we have investigated a flexible e-skin based on highly sensitive, pressure-responsive OFETs using microstructured ferroelectric gate dielectrics, which simulates both rapidly adapting (RA) and slowly adatping (SA) mechanoreceptors in human skin. In SA-type static pressure, furthermore, we also demonstrate that the FET array can detect thermal stimuli for thermoreception through decoupling of the input signals from simultaneously applied pressure. The microstructured highly crystalline poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) possessing piezoelectric-pyroelectric properties in OFETs allowed monitoring RA- and SA-mode responses in dyanamic and static pressurizing conditions, which enables to apply the e-skin to bio-monitoring of human and robotics.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.179-187
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• 2023

In this study, we developed a microfiber-based flexible pressure sensor with high sensitivity and excellent skin breathability. A nonwoven fabric composed of microfibers was prepared by electrospinning, which resulted in excellent moisture permeability of the sensor (143 g∙m^-2∙h^-1). In particular, high-pressure sensitivity (0.36 kPa^-1) was achieved by introducing submicron structures on the microfiber surface by controlling the ambient humidity during electrospinning. The fabrication technology of the microfiber-based flexible pressure sensors reported in this study is expected to contribute to the commercialization of flexible pressure sensors applicable to long-term wearable health monitoring as well as virtual/augmented reality and electronic skin applications.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.111-116
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• 2020

Flexible tactile sensors, which are primarily used as grippers in robots, are mainly used to handle highly elastic or highly flexible objects. That is, flexible grippers are used when an object cannot be sufficiently controlled by applying a specific output force or taking a specific grabbing action. This is because a flexible tactile sensor needs to measure the pressure applied directly to held objects while deforming according to the shape of the object to be handled. CNT-based sensors used to be made from a highly flexible polymer to give flexibility and it is known that the sensors are greatly affected by the contact resistance of the terminal that connects the sensor to an electrical circuit; therefore, this paper clarifies the contact resistance of MWCNTs-based flexible tactile sensors and terminals. The effects of main and plating materials for terminals are investigated and the combinations of main and plating materials that exhibit contact resistance are measured in a typical industrial environment.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2023

Three-dimensional (3D) micro/nanostructures based on soft elastomers have received extensive attention in recent years, owing to their potential and advanced applicability. Designing and fabricating 3D micro/nanostructures are crucial for applications in diverse engineering fields, such as sensors, harvesting devices, functional surfaces, and adhesive patches. However, because of their structural complexity, fabricating soft-elastomer-based 3D micro/nanostructures with a low cost and simple process remains a challenge. Bio-inspired designs that mimic natural structures, or replicate their micro/nanostructure surfaces, have greatly benefited in terms of low-cost fabrication, scalability, and easy control of geometrical parameters. This review highlights recent advances in 3D micro/nanostructures inspired by nature for diverse potential and advanced applications, including flexible pressure sensors, energy-harvesting devices based on triboelectricity, superhydrophobic/-philic surfaces, and dry/wet adhesive patches.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.8-14
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• 2014

Many kinds of robots and machines have been developed to replace human laborin industrial and medical fields, as well as domestic life. In these applications, the device sneed to obtain environmental data using diverse sensors. Among such sensors, the tactile sensor is important because of its ability to get information regarding surface texture and force through the use of mechanical contact. In this research, a simple tactile sensor was developed using the direct writing of pressure sensitive material and layered fabrication of photocurable material. The body of the sensor was fabricated using layered fabrication, and pressure sensitive materials were dispensed between the layers using direct writing. We examined the line fabrication characteristics of the pressure sensitive material according to nozzle dispensing conditions. A simple $4{\times}4$ array flexible tactile sensor was successfully fabricated using the proposed process.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.65-70
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• 2020

While the demand for robots in the manufacturing industry has dramatically increased, the industrial robots' functionality is mainly determined by the effector attached to the end of their arms. They need a flexible gripping system that can act as a human hand and easily grasp a variety of objects, which requires resilient sensors. This study clarifies the electrical output characteristics of elastic tactile sensors according to contact terminals because the output characteristics of the tactile sensors vary greatly, depending on the contact material and the method of contact with the conductive wire. Our research considers the Three Roll Mill and Paste Mixer as the dispersion medium, and a nickel- and gold-plated brass electrode as the contact terminal.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.21-27
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• 2022

Flexible pressure sensor was developed using low-cost conductive graphite as printed electronics. Flexible pressure sensors are attracting attention as materials to be used in future industries such as medical, games, and AI. As a result of evaluating various electromechanical properties of the printed electrode for flexible pressure sensors, it showed a constant resistance change rate in a maximum tensile rate of 20%, 30° tension/bending, and a simple pulse test. A more appropriate matrix pattern was designed by simulating the electrodes for which this verification was completed. Utilizing the Serpentine pattern, we utilized a process that allows simultaneous fabrication and encapsulation of the matrix pattern. One side of the printed graphite electrode was O₂ plasma surface treated to increase adhesive strength, rotated 90 times, and two electrodes were made into one through a lamination process. As a result of pasting the matrix pattern prepared in this way to the wrist pulse position of the human body and proceeding with the actual measurement, a constant rate of resistance change was shown regardless of gender.