A Portable & Disposable Ultra-Low Velocity Flow Sensor from Bioinspired Hair-Like Microstructures

Abstract

We present, for the first time, the design, development and testing of a portable ultra-lowvelocity flow sensor with a disposable architecture for use in medical applications. 3Dmicroprintingtechnique was used to fabricate high aspect ratio microscopic hair-like structuresfrom conducting polymers, in particular, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene-sulfonate(PEDOT:PSS). These high aspect ratio micro-hairs are flexible and conductive that can respond toair flowing over them. A disposable and portable flow sensor with a modular design that allowstuning of measurement range was developed, for integration with an automated neonatalresuscitator to provide closed-loop feedback. The developed portable sensor architecture is capableof real-time indication of the air flow velocity range down to few millimeters/second.

Keywords

• MEMS
• velocity sensors
• air flow sensor
• conducting polymers
• Micro switches
• 3D microstructure printing