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Flexible, stretchable and wearable sensors are needed for the human motion detection. Here, a highly stretchable and sensitive strain sensor is fabricated based on the coating of nanographene platelets on natural rubber by simple dry coating process. The gauge factors are adjustable in the ranges of 0.78-52.53 depended on the preparation conditions and strain state. The sensors showed a high stretchability up to 750% and high durability of 1500 stretching-releasing cycles. The stretchable strain sensors are capable of detecting a bending fingers and the pulse of radial artery on the wrist. In addition, a smart glove made form five independent strain sensors was created. The data of the glove finger motions are used to control an avatar robotic hand.

Copper–iron (Cu–Fe) oxide composite films were successfully deposited on quartz substrate by a facile sparking process. The nanoparticles were deposited on the substrate after sparking off the Fe and Cu tips with different ratios and were then annealed at different temperatures. The network particles were observed after annealing the film at 700 °C. Meanwhile, XRD, XPS and SAED patterns of the annealed films at 700 °C consisted of a mixed phase of CuO, γ-Fe2O3, CuFe2O4 and CuFe2O. The film with the lowest energy band gap (Eg) of 2.56 eV was observed after annealing at 700 °C. Interestingly, the optimum ratio and annealing temperature show the photocatalytic activity under visible light higher than 20% and 30% compare with the annealed TiO2 at 500 and 700 °C, respectively. This is a novel photocatalyst which can be replaced TiO2 for photocatalytic applications in the future.

Stretchable and compressible strain sensors play an essential role in various fields with uses ranging from automotive components to medical devices. This study reports on the fabrication and characteristics of stretchable strain and pressure sensors constructed using a carbon nanotube and graphene composite. The sensors were used for gait analysis, an important step in the diagnosis and management of movement disorders. The stretchable and compressible strain sensors were used to measure peak knee sagittal angles and forces under the feet when walking. Gait analysis is usually performed within a laboratory. However, in this research we propose a shift to gait assessments conducted via long-term daily monitoring using wearable devices.

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