Recently, printed electronics have received growing attention as a method to produce low-cost large-area electronics on flexible substrates. This technology relies on printing techniques to deposit electrically functional materials onto flexible substrates to fabricate circuits with various electronic components such as resistors, capacitors, and transistors. In this paper, we apply the printed electronics technology to the development of strain sensors for measuring dynamic strain of a structure. To print sensors, we develop an aerosol printing system capable of atomizing a material solution into microscopic particles and depositing the particles on a target surface. Using this system, a water-based conductive polymer, PEDOT:PSS solution is deposited on a plastic beam. Then, piezoresistive sensing capabilities of the printed strain sensor are studied for low frequency cyclic loadings. Finally, the performance of the printed sensor is compared with a conventional thin-foil strain gauge for measuring dynamic strain of a beam under free vibration. The results show that this type of printed strain sensor can be used to accurately measure structural vibrations.

No abstract

In recent years, printed electronics have received attention as a method to produce low-cost macro electronics on flexible substrates. In this regard, inkjet and aerosol printing have been the primary printing methods for producing passive electrical components, transistors, and a number of sensors. In this research, a custom aerosol printer was utilized to create a strain sensor capable of measuring static and dynamic strain. The proposed sensor was created by aerosol printing a multiwall carbon nanotube solution onto an aluminum beam covered with an insulating layer. After printing the carbon nanotube-based sensor, the sensor was tested under quasi-static and vibration strain conditions, and the results are presented. The results show that the printed sensor could potentially serve as an effective method for measuring dynamic strain of structural components.

No abstract

No abstract