Highly Sensitive and Stretchable Resistive Strain Sensors Based on Microstructured Metal Nanowire/Elastomer Composite Films |
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| Authors: | Kang‐Hyun Kim Nam‐Su Jang Sung‐Hun Ha Ji Hwan Cho Jong‐Man Kim |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Nano Fusion Technology and BK21 Plus Nano Convergence Technology Division, Pusan National University, Geumjeong‐gu, Busan, Republic of Korea;2. Department of Electronics Engineering, Pusan National University, Geumjeong‐gu, Busan, Republic of Korea;3. Department of Nanoenergy Engineering, Pusan National University, Geumjeong‐gu, Busan, Republic of Korea |
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| Abstract: | High sensitivity and high stretchability are two conflicting characteristics that are difficult to achieve simultaneously in elastic strain sensors. A highly sensitive and stretchable strain sensor comprising a microstructured metal nanowire (mNW)/elastomer composite film is presented. The surface structure is easily prepared by combining an mNW coating and soft‐lithographic replication processes in a simple and reproducible manner. The densely packed microprism‐array architecture of the composite film leads to a large morphological change in the mNW percolation network by efficiently concentrating the strain in the valley regions upon stretching. Meanwhile, the percolation network comprising mNWs with a high aspect ratio is stable enough to prevent electrical failure, even under high strains. This enables the sensor to simultaneously satisfy high sensitivity (gauge factor ≈81 at >130% strain) and high stretchability (150%) while ensuring long‐term reliability (10 000 cycles at 150% strain). The sensor can also detect strain induced by bending and pressure, thus demonstrating its potential as a versatile sensing tool. The sensor is successfully utilized to monitor a wide range of human motions in real time. Furthermore, the unique sensing mechanism is easily extended to detect more complex multiaxial strains by optimizing the surface morphology of the device. |
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| Keywords: | high sensitivity high stretchability microstructured conductive composites multiaxial strain sensing stretchable strain sensors |
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