Testing and Characterization of Multilayer Force Sensing Resistors Fabricated on Flexible Substrate

Abstract

This paper presents design, fabrication and characterization of force sensing resistors (FSRs) which can be used in many applicable devices in medicine, rehabilitation, robotics, dentistry, etc. They consist of printed interdigitated electrodes on flexible substrate, an adhesive spacer and a carbon based sensing layer. Four types of FSRs were fabricated with different designs of active area. Measurement setup for testing and characterization has been developed in laboratory conditions and represents a device for precise implementation of a controlled force on FSRs. The characteristics of FSRs - the resistance as a function of applied force and temperature as well as the voltage as a function of applied force are presented. The obtained resistances were in the range of tens of Ohms for a wide range of applied force (1 N – 65 N).