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Batch Fabrication of Customizable Silicone‐Textile Composite Capacitive Strain Sensors for Human Motion Tracking
Author(s) -
Atalay Asli,
Sanchez Vanessa,
Atalay Ozgur,
Vogt Daniel M.,
Haufe Florian,
Wood Robert J.,
Walsh Conor J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
advanced materials technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.184
H-Index - 42
ISSN - 2365-709X
DOI - 10.1002/admt.201700136
Subject(s) - capacitive sensing , materials science , gauge factor , silicone , electrical conductor , soft robotics , electrode , fabrication , textile , strain gauge , tactile sensor , capacitance , linearity , acoustics , composite material , mechanical engineering , electrical engineering , computer science , actuator , engineering , robot , artificial intelligence , chemistry , medicine , alternative medicine , physics , pathology
This paper presents design and batch manufacturing of a highly stretchable textile‐silicone capacitive sensor to be used in human articulation detection, soft robotics, and exoskeletons. The proposed sensor is made of conductive knit fabric as electrode and silicone elastomer as dielectric. The batch manufacturing technology enables production of large sensor mat and arbitrary shaping of sensors, which is precisely achieved via laser cutting of the sensor mat. Individual capacitive sensors exhibit high linearity, low hysteresis, and a gauge factor of 1.23. Compliant, low‐profile, and robust electrical connections are established by fusing filaments of micro coaxial cable to conductive fabric electrodes of the sensor with thermoplastic film. The capacitive sensors are integrated on a reconstructed glove for monitoring finger motions.