The three-dimensional anisotropic moisture absorption behavior of quartz-fiber-reinforced bismaleimide (BMI) laminates is investigated by collecting 21 months of experimental gravimetric data. Laminates of six, twelve, and forty plies and various planar aspect ratios are used to determine the three-dimensional anisotropic diffusion behavior when exposed to full immersion in distilled water at 258C. The long-term moisture absorption behavior deviates from the widely used Fickian model, but can be accurately captured by the three-dimensional, anisotropic hindered diffusion model (3D HDM). Excellent agreement is achieved between experimental gravimetric data and the 3D HDM for all laminate thicknesses. Recovered model parameters are shown to slightly vary with laminate thickness due to the small changes in the cured-ply thickness. However, model parameters identified for a given laminate thickness are observed to accurately predict the absorption behavior of samples with different planar dimensions. Equilibrium moisture content of 1.72, 1.69, and 1.84% and corresponding diffusion hindrance coefficients of 0.807, 0.844, and 0.671 are recovered for six, twelve, and fortyply laminates, respectively, thus confirming strong non-Fickian behavior. Moisture absorption parameters may be determined successfully at 16.5 months of immersion, before reaching approximately 85% of the equilibrium moisture content at 21 months. Subsequent gravimetric measurements up to 21 months are consistent with the predicted long-term behavior. POLYM. ENG. FIG. 7. Effect of experimental time frame on recovery of three-dimensional HDM parameters, with emphasis on equilibrium moisture content recovery. Solid lines indicate 3D HDM predictions based on incomplete data.
Pressure sensors for wearable healthcare devices, particularly force sensitive resistors (FSRs) are widely used to monitor physiological signals and human motions. However, current FSRs are not suitable for integration into wearable platforms. This work presents a novel technique for developing textile FSRs (TFSRs) using a combination of inkjet printing of metal-organic decomposition silver inks and heat pressing for facile integration into textiles. The insulating void by a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) membrane between the top and bottom textile electrodes creates an architectured piezoresistive structure. The structure functions as a simple logic switch where under a threshold pressure the electrodes make contact to create conductive paths (on-state) and without pressure return to the prior insulated condition (off-state). The TFSR can be controlled by arranging the number of layers and hole diameters of the TPU spacer to specify a wide range of activation pressures from 4.9 kPa to 7.1 MPa. For a use-case scenario in wearable healthcare technologies, the TFSR connected with a readout circuit and a mobile app shows highly stable signal acquisition from finger movement. According to the on/off state of the TFSR with LED bulbs by different weights, it can be utilized as a textile switch showing tactile feedback.
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