Printed Wearable Pressure Sensor Using Interdigitated Capacitor for Application in Smart Textile

Abstract

This study presents a systematic approach to electro-textile pressure sensors dependent on interdigitated capacitors (IDCs) for applications surrounding intelligent wearable devices, robots, and e-skins. The method proposed a broad range of highly sensitive pressure sensors based on ICDs, composite Ecoflex, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Firstly, characterizations of ICDs using silver ink on Polyester fabric are evaluated by a precision LCR meter throughout the frequency range from 1 kHz to 300 kHz. The influence of Polyester fabric on the operation of sensitivity is contained. Secondly, assessing the volume fraction of CNTs on composites’ properties is enclosed. The presence of volume portion CNTs upgrades the bond strength of composites and further develops sensor deformability. Thirdly, the blend of CNTs and Ecoflex dielectric accomplished a wide recognition range (400kPa) with an awareness range from $8.125\times 10^{-3}$ (at 400 kPa) to 0.1 KP$a^{-1}$(at 20 kPa). At last, the Polyester substrate shows that choosing a suitable dielectric substrate influences sensor responsiveness and signal result.