Droplets Patterning of Structurally Integrated 3D Conductive Networks-Based Flexible Strain Sensors for Healthcare Monitoring
Yang Zhang,
Danjiao Zhao,
Lei Cao,
Lanlan Fan,
Aiping Lin,
Shufen Wang,
Feng Gu,
Aibing Yu
Affiliations
Yang Zhang
Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (LAMM), Nanchang Key Laboratory for Advanced Manufacturing of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, International Institute for Innovation, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
Danjiao Zhao
Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (LAMM), Nanchang Key Laboratory for Advanced Manufacturing of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, International Institute for Innovation, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
Lei Cao
Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (LAMM), Nanchang Key Laboratory for Advanced Manufacturing of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, International Institute for Innovation, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
Lanlan Fan
Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (LAMM), Nanchang Key Laboratory for Advanced Manufacturing of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, International Institute for Innovation, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
Aiping Lin
Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (LAMM), Nanchang Key Laboratory for Advanced Manufacturing of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, International Institute for Innovation, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
Shufen Wang
Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (LAMM), Nanchang Key Laboratory for Advanced Manufacturing of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, International Institute for Innovation, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
Feng Gu
Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (LAMM), Nanchang Key Laboratory for Advanced Manufacturing of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, International Institute for Innovation, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
Aibing Yu
Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (LAMM), Nanchang Key Laboratory for Advanced Manufacturing of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, International Institute for Innovation, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
Flexible strain sensors with significant extensibility, stability, and durability are essential for public healthcare due to their ability to monitor vital health signals noninvasively. However, thus far, the conductive networks have been plagued by the inconsistent interface states of the conductive components, which hampered the ultimate sensitivity performance. Here, we demonstrate structurally integrated 3D conductive networks-based flexible strain sensors of hybrid Ag nanorods/nanoparticles(AgNRs/NPs) by combining a droplet-based aerosol jet printing(AJP) process and a feasible transfer process. Structurally integrated 3D conductive networks have been intentionally developed by tweaking droplets deposition behaviors at multi-scale for efficient hybridization and ordered assembly of AgNRs/NPs. The hybrid AgNRs/NPs enhance interfacial conduction and mechanical properties during stretching. In a strain range of 25%, the developed sensor demonstrates an ideal gauge factor of 23.18. When real-time monitoring of finger bending, arm bending, squatting, and vocalization, the fabricated sensors revealed effective responses to human movements. Our findings demonstrate the efficient droplet-based AJP process is particularly capable of developing advanced flexible devices for optoelectronics and wearable electronics applications.
