A Flexible Capacitive Paper-Based Pressure Sensor Fabricated Using 3D Printing

Abstract

Flexible pressure sensors usually exhibit high sensitivity, excellent resolution, and can be mass-produced. Herein, a high-resolution, capacitive, paper-based, 3D-printed pressure sensor with a simple, low-cost preparation method is proposed. The sensor has a wide detection range (300–44,000 Pa), a short response time (<50 ms), and high mechanical stability during repeated loading/unloading (3750 Pa). It can measure the weight of an object precisely, from which the shape of the object can be predicted. The sensor can also perform gait detection. The advantages presented by low-cost, high sensitivity, wide detection range, and the ability to be mass-produced make these sensors potential candidates for applications in contact detection and wearable medical devices.