Conformable tactile sensing using screen printed P(VDF-TrFE) and MWCNT-PDMS composites

Abstract

This work presents progress on the screen printed flexible touch sensors based on two different pressure sensitive materials. In first case, the piezoelectric polymer P(VDF-TrFE) (Polyvinylidene Fluoride Trifluoroethylene) is sandwiched between two printed Silver (Ag) metallic plates and in the second case Multi Wall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) mixed with Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has been used in place of P(VDF-TrFE). The two sensor variants are compared on the basis of fabrication by printing on plastic substrate, ease of processing and handling of the materials, compatibility of the dissimilar materials in multilayers structure, and finally according to the response to the normal compressive forces. The sensors responses at optimum operating values for P(VDF-TrFE) and MWCNT-PDMS based sensors are 0.05 V/N and 20 kΩ/N respectively. The foldable pressure sensors arrays are completely realized using screen-printing technology and are targeted towards realizing low-cost conformable tactile sensors.