Sensitive, Stretchable, and Breathable Pressure Sensors Based on Medical Gauze Integrated with Silver Nanowires and Elastomers

Abstract

Driven by the increasing demand for intelligent wearable electronics, pressure sensors have attracted substantial research interest. However, a pressure sensor that possesses both high sensitivity and wearable comfort for practical application in daily activities is still lacking. Herein, we design a fabric−elastomer hybrid pressure sensor that achieves a balance between sensing performance and comfort. In this well-designed sensor, medical gauze coated with silver nanowires acts as substrate to improve the comfort of the sensor, and an elastomer acts as an active sensing element to enhance the sensitivity of the sensor. The sensor exhibits exciting sensing performance, including a high sensitivity (58 kPa −1 , 0−0.5 kPa), long-term endurance (>27 500 cycles), a faster response speed (<27 ms), and an ultralow limit of detection (2.7 Pa). Additionally, by adopting a prestretchable medical bandage as the substrate, the resulting sensor is insensitive to tensile strain and can accurately detect pressure stimuli under complex conditions. Then, we verify the application of the sensor in different scenarios, such as sensing tiny objects, monitoring human physiological information, and recognizing body motion. Additionally, we integrate a 4 × 4 sensor array for spatial information monitoring to provide a proof of concept for future wearable electronics, especially intelligent medical diagnostic systems.

Highly selective semiconductor photocatalysis for CO2 reduction

“…48 From a thermodynamic point of view, the potentials of CO 2 reduction (eqn (1)-( 6)) are comparable to the potentials of hydrogen evolution (eqn (7)), which leads to a large amount of H 2 as the by-product. 49 According to the less negative redox potentials, it seems that the photoconversion of CO 2 to CH 3 OH and CH 4 is more favorable than the H 2 evolution ([eqn (4)], [eqn (5)] and [eqn (7)]). Nevertheless, the requirement of more electrons to accomplish highly selective formation of CH 3 OH and/ or CH 4 rather than H 2 is a great challenge.…”

“…The industrial revolution has triggered the rapid development of science and technology, 1–10 however, the massive consumption of fossil fuels has caused a sharp increase in CO 2 concentration. 11–17 As of December 2020, CO 2 concentration in the atmosphere has reached 414.02 ppm, far higher than 270 ppm in the early 1800s, which is considerably higher than the safe value of atmospheric CO 2 concentration ( i.e.…”

A Comparative Study on the Effects of Spray Coating Methods and Substrates on Polyurethane/Carbon Nanofiber Sensors

“…Flexible and stretchable sensors are attracting tremendous attention due to their enormous potential in a variety of applications such as motion detection, health monitoring, and human-machine interfaces [ 1 , 2 ]. Conventional sensors made of metals and semi-conductors are rigid, brittle, and strenuous to wear, making them challenging for use as wearable sensors [ 3 ]. On the other hand, elastic polymer nanocomposite-based sensors are lightweight, soft, and can be made hypoallergenic [ 4 , 5 , 6 ].…”

Gradient Cu/Ti3C2Tx MXene-Coated Textile Pressure Sensor with High Sensitivity and a Wide Sensing Range

“…Flexible pressure sensors have attracted widespread attention owing to their great potential applications in health monitoring, − human–machine interactions, − and electronic skin. − Piezoresistive pressure sensors show great advantages over other types of flexible pressure sensors, including a facile fabrication process, simple readout circuits, and low power consumption. − For the sensitivity ( S ) of a piezoresistive sensor, usually, it is defined as the change in electrical current relative to an applied pressure ( P ), namely, S = normalΔ I − I 0 P , where Δ I and I 0 represent the current change under the applied pressure and the initial current without pressure applied, respectively. According to the definition, if the current is capable of changing considerably at low pressure, then the sensor possesses a high sensitivity but a narrow sensing range.…”