Optimization of a Soft Pressure Sensor in Terms of the Molecular Weight of the Ferroelectric‐Polymer Sensing Layer

Abstract

Tactile sensing is considered essential for effective object handling by robots. To this end, flexible smart materials are being extensively researched for application as soft pressure sensors. This paper proposes a soft pressure sensor featuring a ferroelectric-polymer sensing layer for dynamic pressure detection during robotic grasping operations. The solution-processed sensing layer is optimized in terms of the molecular weight of the ferroelectric polymer and the processing solvent. The proposed sensor exhibits high sensitivity to pressure with minimal response delay. Furthermore, these sensors successfully sensitize a robotic hand, enabling the real-time detection of pressure signals during object handling, thus demonstrating the potential of the proposed sensor for novel robotic interface applications such as biomimetic electronic skin.

Inorganic ferroelectric thin films and their composites for flexible electronic and energy device applications: current progress and perspectives

“…6 Organic polymer materials, such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and its copolymer poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoro ethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)), have become pioneering materials in the development of flexible electronic devices owing to their excellent piezoelectric properties, chemical stability, mechanical strength, and biocompatibility. [15][16][17][18] PVDF and P(VDF-TrFE) are easy to synthesize and combine with functional materials, which make them more appropriate for flexible sensing and energy harvesting domains. 16,17 It is reported that pure PVDF and P(VDF-TrFE) have the best d 33 of 30-40 pC N À1 compared to other polymers owing to the presence of a high b-content responsible for superior piezoelectric current generation.…”

“…[15][16][17][18] PVDF and P(VDF-TrFE) are easy to synthesize and combine with functional materials, which make them more appropriate for flexible sensing and energy harvesting domains. 16,17 It is reported that pure PVDF and P(VDF-TrFE) have the best d 33 of 30-40 pC N À1 compared to other polymers owing to the presence of a high b-content responsible for superior piezoelectric current generation. 16 For instance, Lv et al, in 2022, developed a wireless sensor using a highly piezoelectric P(VDF-TrFE), whose d 33 is nearly 33.7 pC N À1 .…”

“…17 Even though these polymer materials are very good when it comes to their sensing and mechanical compatibility, their electrical properties such as ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties are comparatively very much less than those of inorganic piezoelectric materials. 17 In this regard, ceramic-polymer composites are attractive for flexible devices due to the superior functional properties of ceramics and the flexibility of polymers. For instance, adding appropriate additives to these organic polymers or the formation of composites with polymers can improve the piezoelectric coefficient.…”

“…For instance, adding appropriate additives to these organic polymers or the formation of composites with polymers can improve the piezoelectric coefficient. 17 For example, a composite between an IFE and an organic polymer satisfies the need for high mechanical strength, high thermal stability, piezoelectricity, pyroelectricity, and energy storage properties compared to a pure organic polymer, which opens a new window for energy harvesting, IR sensing, and energy storage devices. 1,[7][8][9] Additionally, organic polymers lack thermal stability, undergo degradation, produce toxic smoke upon burning, and, last but not least, are derived from a natural source such as petroleum.…”

Maximizing Electron Channels Enabled by MXene Aerogel for High-Performance Self-Healable Flexible Electronic Skin

“…Current advancements in state-of-the-art technologies have increased the demand for intelligent wearable electronic devices. − Flexible pressure sensors are vital for physical-to-electrical signal conversions. − These signal conversions play important roles in numerous fields including wearable devices, disease diagnostics, and intelligent robotics. − However, some practical challenges remain including the compatibility of the pressure sensor with various objects, sensitivity of monitoring external force, linear detection range, and stability. − The development of flexible electronic skins with high sensitivity, wide linear detection range, and excellent stability is of great significance and would facilitate their versatile practical applications.…”