Nanomaterials (Jul 2022)

Optimization of Piezoresistive Strain Sensors Based on Gold Nanoparticle Deposits on PDMS Substrates for Highly Sensitive Human Pulse Sensing

  • Yu-Shun Su,
  • Wei-Rong Yang,
  • Wei-Wun Jheng,
  • Watson Kuo,
  • Shien-Der Tzeng,
  • Kiyokazu Yasuda,
  • Jenn-Ming Song

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12132312
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 13
p. 2312

Abstract

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In this study, highly-sensitive piezoresistive strain sensors based on gold nanoparticle thin films deposited on a stretchable PDMS substrate by centrifugation were developed to measure arterial pulse waveform. By controlling carbon chain length of surfactants, pH value and particle density of the colloidal solutions, the gauge factors of nanoparticle thin film sensors can be optimized up to 677 in tensile mode and 338 in compressive mode, and the pressure sensitivity up to 350. Low pH and thin nanoparticle films produce positive influences to superior gauge factors. It has been demonstrated that nanoparticle thin film sensors on PDMS substrates were successfully applied to sense arterial pulses in different body positions, including wrist, elbow crease, neck, and chest.

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