Flexible Strain Sensors with Ultra-High Sensitivity and Wide Range Enabled by Crack-Modulated Electrical Pathways

Yunzhao Bai; Yunlei Zhou; Xuanyu Wu; Mengfei Yin; Liting Yin; Shiyuan Qu; Fan Zhang; Kan Li; YongAn Huang

doi:10.1007/s40820-024-01571-6

Nano-Micro Letters (Nov 2024)

Flexible Strain Sensors with Ultra-High Sensitivity and Wide Range Enabled by Crack-Modulated Electrical Pathways

Yunzhao Bai,
Yunlei Zhou,
Xuanyu Wu,
Mengfei Yin,
Liting Yin,
Shiyuan Qu,
Fan Zhang,
Kan Li,
YongAn Huang

Affiliations

Yunzhao Bai: State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Yunlei Zhou: Hangzhou Institute of Technology, Xidian University
Xuanyu Wu: State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Mengfei Yin: State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Liting Yin: Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California
Shiyuan Qu: State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Fan Zhang: State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Kan Li: State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
YongAn Huang: State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-024-01571-6
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 17, no. 1
pp. 1 – 19

Abstract

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Highlights A method is proposed for the modulation of electrical pathways in the cracks of stretchable electrodes using liquid metals, based on which ultra-high sensitivity (> 108) and large-range (> 100%) strain sensors are realised. A secondary modulation of the response (or performance) of the sensor is proposed, allowing not only electrical modulation by liquid metal patterning during fabrication, but also mechanical modulation by pre-stretching at the time of use. The air permeability and stability of the patterned liquid metal electrode region is optimised to enable air permeability similar to that of conventional fabrics and cycle durability in excess of 2000 cycles.

Published in Nano-Micro Letters

ISSN: 2311-6706 (Print); 2150-5551 (Online)
Publisher: SpringerOpen
Country of publisher: Germany
LCC subjects: Technology
Website: http://www.springer.com/40820

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