• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.198-204
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• 2019

In this study, we propose a wearable force sensor using 3D printed mold and liquid metal. Liquid metal, such as Galinstan, is one of the promising functional materials in stretchable electronics known for its intrinsic mechanical and electronic properties. The proposed soft force sensor measures the external force by the resistance change caused by the cross-sectional area change. Fused deposition modeling-based 3D printing is a simple and cost-effective fabrication of resilient elastomers using liquid metal. Using a 3D printed microchannel mold, 3D multichannel Galinstan microchannels were fabricated with a serpentine structure for signal stability because it is important to maintain the sensitivity of the sensor even in various mechanical deformations. We performed various electro-mechanical tests for performance characterization and verified the signal stability while stretching and bending. The proposed sensor exhibited good signal stability under 100% longitudinal strain, and the resistance change ranged within 5% of the initial value. We attached the proposed sensor on the finger joint and evaluated the signal change during various finger movements and the application of external forces.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.156-169
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• 2019

The objective of this study was to develop lightweight, stretchable, tight-fit smart sportswear using the conductive yarns into the garment and demonstrating its usefulness. Sportswears with the ability to control LEDs with respect to lighting of the surrounding were developed by applying embroidery with conductive yarns to 2 types of men's T-shirts and 2 types of women's leggings pants for outdoor activities and exercise purposes. LEDs were applied to the front and back of men's T-shirts and to the rear of the waist of women's leggings. Men's T-shirts were printed where the LEDs were to be applied, and inside, they were embroidered with conductive threads on the hot-melt fabric to be attached, and then connected with LED. Women's pants were embroidered on the elastic band, in the form of a sine wave that gives it ability to stretch, and finally the elastic band was hidden inside the waistband. The operation of the light sensor in the dark provided the ability to protect joggers from night drivers or cyclists. LEDs were activated when the wearer turns on the fashionable device on his/her shoulder by pressing it. It was able to reduce the risk of accidents by giving recognizability to vehicles, bicycles, and athletes approaching or passing by at night, and securing safe distance from vehicles, etc. Internal embroidery technology had the same flexible and lightweight functions as ordinary clothing products, making it possible to apply to tight-fit smart T-shirts or leggings pants designs.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.221-234
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• 2021

During the previous few years, phenomenon of bioconvection along with the use of nanoparticles showed large number of applications in technological and industrial field. This paper analyzed the bioconvection phenomenon in magnetohydrodynamic boundary layer flow of a Powell-Eyring nanoliquid past a stretchable cylinder with Cattaneo-Christov heat flux. In addition, the impacts of chemical reaction and heat generation/absorption parameter are considered. By the use of appropriate transformation, the governing PDEs (nonlinear) have been transformed and formulated into nonlinear ODEs. The resulting nonlinear ODEs subjected to relevant boundary conditions are solved analytically through homotopy analysis method which is programmed in Mathematica software. Graphical and numerical results versus physical quantities like velocity, temperature, concentration and motile microorganism are investigated under the impact of physical parameters. It is noted that velocity profile enhances as the curvature parameter A and Eyring-Powell fluid parameter M increases but a decline manner for large values of buoyancy ratio parameter Nr and bio-convection Rayleigh number Rb. In the presence of Prandtl number Pr, Eyring-Powell fluid parameter M and heat absorption parameter ��, temperature profile decreases. Nano particle concentration profile increases for increasing values of magnetic parameter Ha and thermophoresis parameter Nt. The motile density profile has revealed a decrement pattern for higher values of bio-convection Lewis number Lb and bio-convection peclet number Pe. This study may find uses in bio-nano coolant systems, advance nanomechanical bio-convection energy conversion equipment's, etc.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2022

Hydrogels have gained considerable attention in various fields due to their easily transformative ability by different stimulation. In addition, metal-based conductive additives can enable the hydrogels to be conductive with dimension change. Although the development of the additives offered enhanced electrical properties to the hydrogels, correspondingly enhanced mechanical properties may limit the volume and electrical properties switching after stimulation. Here we prepared poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) thermo-responsive hydrogel that has a 32℃ of low critical solution temperature and added liquid metal particles (LMPs) as conductive additives, possessing soft and stretchable benefits. The LMPs enabled PNIPAM (PNIPAM/LMPs) hydrogels to be constricted over 32℃ with a high volume switching ratio of 15.2 when deswelled. Once the LMPs are spontaneously oxidized in hydrogel culture, the LMPs can release gallium ions into the hydrogel nature. The released gallium ions and oxidized LMPs enhanced the modulus of the PNIPAM/LMPs hydrogel, triggering high mechanical stability during repeated swelling/deswelling behavior. Lastly, highly constricted PNIPAM/LMPs hydrogel provided a 5x10⁶ of electrical switching after deswelling, and the switching ratio was closely maintained after repeated swelling/deswelling transformation. This study opens up opportunities for hydrogel use requiring thermo-responsive and high electrical switching fields.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.307-311
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• 2022

With the development of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, numerous people worldwide connect with various electronic devices via Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs). Considering that HMIs are a new concept of dynamic interactions, wearable electronics have been highlighted owing to their lightweight, flexibility, stretchability, and attachability. In particular, wearable strain sensors have been applied to a multitude of practical applications (e.g., fitness and healthcare) by conformally attaching such devices to the human skin. However, the stretchable elastomer in a wearable sensor has an intrinsic stretching limitation; therefore, structural advances of wearable sensors are required to develop practical applications of wearable sensors. In this study, we demonstrated a 3-dimensional (3D), porous, and piezoelectric strain sensor for sensing body movements. More specifically, the device was fabricated by mixing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polyvinylidene fluoride nanoparticles (PVDF NPs) as the matrix and piezoelectric materials of the strain sensor. The porous structure of the strain sensor was formed by a sugar cube-based 3D template. Additionally, mixing methods of PVDF piezoelectric NPs were optimized to enhance the device sensitivity. Finally, it is verified that the developed strain sensor could be directly attached onto the finger joint to sense its movements.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.749-754
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• 2022

High adhesion and water resistance of the skin surface are required for wearable and skin-attachable electronic patches in various medical applications. In this study, we report a stretchable electronic patch that mimics the drainable structure pattern of the hexagonal channels of frog's pads and the sucker of an octopus based on carbon-based conductive polymer composite materials. The hexagonal channel structure that mimics the pads of frogs drains water and improves adhesion through crack arresting effect, and the suction structure that mimics an octopus sucker shows high adhesion on wet surfaces. In addition, the high-adhesive electronic patch has excellent adhesion to various surfaces such as silicone wafer (max. 4.06 N/cm²) and skin replica surface (max. 1.84 N/cm²) in dry and wet conditions. The high skin-adhesive electronic patch made of a polymer composite material based on a polymer matrix and carbon particles can reliably detect electrocardiogram (ECG) in dry and humid environments. The proposed electronic patch presents potential applications for wearable and skin-attachable electronic devices for detecting various biosignals.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.19-25
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• 2023

With an attempt to investigate the correlation between the internal pressure distribution of slit nozzle and the thickness uniformity of slot-coated thin films, we have performed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of slit nozzles and slot coating of high-viscosity (4,800 cPs) polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using a gantry slot-die coater. We have calculated the coefficient of variation (CV) to quantify the pressure and velocity distributions inside the slit nozzle and the thickness non-uniformity of slot-coated PDMS films. The pressure distribution inside the cavity and the velocity distribution at the outlet are analyzed by varying the shim thickness and flow rate. We have shown that the cavity pressure uniformity and film thickness uniformity are enhanced by reducing the shim thickness. It is addressed that the CV value of the cavity pressure that can ensure the thickness non-uniformity of less than 5% is equal to and less than 1%, which is achievable with the shim thickness of 150 ㎛. It is also found that as the flow rate increases, the average cavity pressure is increased with the CV value of the pressure unchanged and the maximum coating speed is increased. As the shim thickness is reduced, however, the maximum coating speed and flow rate decrease. The highly uniform PDMS films shows the tensile strain as high as 180%, which can be used as a stretchable substrate.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.420-426
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• 2024

This study proposes an innovative methodology for developing flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs) capable of conforming to three-dimensional shapes, meeting the increasing demand for electronic circuits in diverse and complex product designs. By integrating a traditional flat plate-based fabrication process with a subsequent three-dimensional thermal deformation technique, we have successfully demonstrated an FPCB that maintains stable electrical characteristics despite significant shape deformations. Using a modified polyimide substrate along with Ag flake-based conductive ink, we identified optimized process variables that enable substrate thermal deformation at lower temperatures (~130℃) and enhance the stretchability of the conductive ink (ε ~30%). The application of this novel FPCB in a prototype 3D-shaped sensor device, incorporating photosensors and temperature sensors, illustrates its potential for creating multifunctional, shape-adaptable electronic devices. The sensor can detect external light sources and measure ambient temperature, demonstrating stable operation even after transitioning from a planar to a three-dimensional configuration. This research lays the foundation for next-generation FPCBs that can be seamlessly integrated into various products, ushering in a new era of electronic device design and functionality.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2011

ZnO-based thin-film transistors (TFTs) have been fabricated and the mechanical characteristics of electric circuits, such as stress, strain, and deformation are analyzed by the finite element method (FEM). In this study, a mechanical-stability design guide for such systems is proposed; this design takes into account the stress and deformation of the bridge to estimate the stress distribution in an $SiO_2$ film with 0 to 5% stretched on 0.5-${\mu}m$-thick. The predicted buckle amplitude of $SiO_2$ bridges agrees well with experimental results within 0.5% error. The stress and strain at the contact point between bridges and a pad were measured in a previous structural analysis. These structural analysis suggest that the numerical measurement of deformation, SU-8 coating thickness for Neutral Mechanical Plane (NMP) and ITO electrode size on a dielectric layer was useful in enhancing the structural and electrical stabilities.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.327-336
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• 2010

The purposes of this study are to evaluate mechanical properties and sensibility of tencel jacquard fabrics treated with ginkgo biloba extract and silicon softener, and to contribute to the research and development of the bedclothes made of the tencel jacquard fabrics. Mechanical properties and objective fabric hand evaluation were measured by using KES-FB system. Subjective sensibilities such as sensory, touch, and purchasing preference were estimated by using blind field test. The tensile properties such as EM, WT, and RT of tencel jacquard fabrics treated with ginkgo biloba extract and silicon softener showed increase. Bending properties and shear properties were decreased, but compression properties were increased compared to untreated fabric. With ginkgo biloba extract and silicon softener treatment, thickness and weight were increased. Therefore, tencel jacquard fabrics became more stretchable, softer, and bulkier than untreated fabrics. Consequently, THV of tencel jacquard fabrics treated with ginkgo biloba extract and silicon softener were increased. When fabrics were treated sequentially with ginkgo biloba extract and silicon softener, fabrics were estimated softer, more flexible, and bulkier than untreated fabrics. Also, tencel jacquard fabrics treated with ginkgo biloba extract and silicon softener were estimated to have good touch and preference.