Flexible pressure sensors with microstructures

Abstract

Microstructured flexible pressure sensors featured with good mechanical properties, boosting a variety of sophisticated application scenarios, including electronic skin (e-skin), soft robotics, wearable electronics, etc. This review is very focusing on the recent research progress of microstructured flexible pressure sensors. For better understanding the corresponding devices, different mechanisms, materials, preparation methods are briefly introduced at the beginning. And with highlighting the significance of microstructure for device performance, the microstructures of different configurations (e.g., pyramid, pillar, hemisphere) are introduced and discussed in detail through analyzing the influence of configuration characteristics and material properties. Finally, according to the existing problems in the application, the research directions of flexible pressure sensor are prospected. Currently, catering to the explosive and ineluctable growth of this intelligent world, considerable microstructured flexible pressure sensors have emerged but their development is still at very first stage. In this review, some guidelines and tunable methods are suggested for the microstructured flexible pressure sensors of wide practical use in the future.

Recent progress in flexible pressure sensors based on multiple microstructures: from design to application

“…41 In addition, the high compressibility of the micropatterned active layer helps to increase the pressure sensing range of the sensor. 36,81,82 Several researchers have introduced porous structures into a material to effectively reduce the modulus of the material. 36 In contrast to the micro-patterned structure that is usually built on the surface of the active layer, the porous structure provides a rich porous network inside the active layer.…”

“…36,81,82 Several researchers have introduced porous structures into a material to effectively reduce the modulus of the material. 36 In contrast to the micro-patterned structure that is usually built on the surface of the active layer, the porous structure provides a rich porous network inside the active layer. It allows the sensor to deform effectively even under slight pressure, giving the sensor the advantages of high sensitivity, short response time, and low hysteresis.…”

“…35 In terms of structural design, some review articles on the design and preparation of sensor microstructures have been increasingly reported. For example, the microstructures of different structures (e.g., pyramids, columns, and hemispheres) were detailed and reviewed by Tang et al 36 Cui et al summarized the recent research progress in the fabrication and application of high-performance FPSs by engineering microstructures. 32 He et al summarized the research progress in the application of microstructure FPSs in healthcare and human-computer interaction.…”

Functionality of Flexible Pressure Sensors in Cardiovascular Health Monitoring: A Review

“…The purpose of a flexible substrate is to safeguard flexible, conformal contact connecting human bodies to the electronics and should be capable of long-term reliability. The most commonly used substrate materials are elastomers, self-healing materials, hydrogels, and UV cross-linkable materials. , Flexible polymeric materials such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyesters (polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene napthalate (PEN)), polyurethane (PU), polyether sulfone (PES), poly­(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) and polyimide (PI), silicones (Ecoflex rubber), rubbers, and some natural materials (Cellulose) are favorable candidates to be used as substrates in flexible devices. PDMS has been used as the most common flexible substrate material in wearable electronic devices due to its inherent transparency and impressive stretchability.…”

Multimodal Orbital Angular Momentum Data Model Based on Mechanically Reconfigurable Arrays and Neural Networks

“…This scheme is based on the equivalent medium theory. Applying this concept to 2D metasurfaces, Tang et al [ 23 ] proposed encoding metasurfaces to simplify the design of metasurfaces. Coded metasurfaces can be used to achieve transmission and reflection beamforming, radar cross section reduction, phase gradient surfaces, invisibility cloaks, and absorbers.…”