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Flexible pressure sensors attached conformably to skin are of great interest for wearable electronics and robotic applications. However, effective utilization of such devices often requires them to be stretchable. Herein we report a stretchable pressure sensor based on carbon nanotube-polydimethylsiloxane (CNT-PDMS) nanocomposite. The sensors are based on interdigitated silver (Ag) patterns as bottom electrodes which are connected by a top conductive polymer made of CNT-PDMS composite. The sensors are developed on a PDMS substrate to achieve the required elasticity. The performance of the sensors is assessed by measuring change in the resistance of the device for applied mechanical stimuli. The minimal detectable pressure by our sensor is 500Pa. It is noted that the conductivity of CNT-PDMS composites and Ag electrode spacing are the two critical factors significantly influencing the performance of the sensors.

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We present a technique for metal patterning on PDMS without cracks and adhesion issues. The adhesion strength of the metal patterns is characterized by micro scratch tests to check the effect of surface treatments of plasma on PDMS. The elongation of PDMS is also calculated with the applied force using the micro scratch test. IntroductionRecently, there is a considerable research interest in the integration of microelectronics and sensors onto flexible substrates. Such possibilities of realizing the once rigid systems onto flexible substrates open up new horizons of applications. Especially in the area of biomedical wearable and implantable devices, the use of biocompatible polymers with incorporated specific functionality is garnering interest because of its flexibility and more sturdy nature compared to silicon based devices. Out of all the polymers, Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is an inert and biocompatible polymer suited for biomedical applications as wearable and implantable devices [1]. However, the challenges of metal patterning on PDMS have prevented its wide use in various biomedical applications. Metal patterning on PDMS poses some main issues like crack formation on PDMS, poor adhesion of the metal on PDMS to name the few [2]. In this work we discuss an efficient metal patterning on PDMS for functional contact lens applications and adhesion characterization is performed by using a micro scratch tester.

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