Skin-Inspired Humidity and Pressure Sensor with a\nWrinkle-on-Sponge Structure

Abstract

Sensors\nwith multifunctions have attracted great attention for their extensive\napplication value, among which humidity sensing and pressure sensing\nare necessary to electronics undoubtedly because of the complex physical\nenvironment we live in. Inspired by the structure of skin, in this\narticle, we design a new method to combine wrinkle structure with\nporous sponge structure and achieve a novel, flexible, compressible,\nand bifunctional sensor based on carbon nanotube–polydimethylsiloxane\n(CNT–PDMS) with functions of humidity sensing and pressure\nsensing. The performance of the humidity sensing part can be controlled\nby the ultraviolet and ozone (UVO) treatment time and CNT concentration,\nwhile the sensitivity of the pressure sensing part can be controlled\nby the CNT concentration and grinding time of sugar granules. The\nbifunctional sensor can easily sense approaching and touching of a\nhand, which shows great potential of alarming and protecting some\nelectronics. Moreover, the bifunctional sensor can also be used in\ndetecting human joint motions and breath conditions as a wearable\nand flexible health monitor.