A Sensitive Flexible Strain Sensor via Anisotropy Microstructured Sensitized Surface Resistive Change for Human Motion Monitoring

Abstract

We reported here a sensitive flexible strain sensor via anisotropy microstructured sensitized surface resistance change. The strain sensor consists of a flexible elastomer and a thin Ag film coated on the microstructures from laser-treated elastomeric surface. The laser scanned microstructures on the surface and led to an anisotropy crack propagation of the metallic conducting layer under strain as sensing mechanism. The developed strain sensor possessed GFs as high as 49 (ε<; 2%) and 3,580 (4%<; ϵ<; 7%) with a good linear relationship. Sensing performances of the sensor suggested that laser-assisted fabrication is an effective way to improve sensitivity of strain sensors. The anisotropy microstructured strain sensor mounted on the wrist and the throat successfully detected the motion in real time indicating the potential in human motion monitoring.