Structural Engineering Approach for Designing Foil-Based Flexible Capacitive Pressure Sensors

Abstract

Structural engineering plays an essential role in designing, improving, and optimizing an electromechanical system, instinctively affecting its performance. In this study, design optimization, finite element analysis, and experimental evaluation of capacitive pressure sensors were conducted. The air pressure sensing application was demonstrated to characterize different sensors, which include a combination of multiple rectangular cantilevers and diaphragms (square and circular-shaped). After the design improvement, we found that the square and circular diaphragms each with two trapezoidal cantilevers exhibited highest sensitivity to air pressure monitoring among the different investigated designs which combine the square and circular diaphragms with cantilevers. These designs were then selected for further analysis for acoustic pressure monitoring. The sensors were fabricated using the doit-yourself technique with household materials such as post-it paper, posted tape, and foil. Our approach offers an alternative to the conventional cleanroom fabrication technique and uses easily available materials to fabricate affordable sensors. Therefore, this is the first step toward the development of democratized and sustainable electronic devices that are affordable and available to everyone on the internet.

Numerical Modelling of Differential Pressure Sensor System for Real-Time Viscosity Measurement

“…These sensors measure the pressure at three different point of channel [26], [27]. For enhancement in the sensitivity of the sensor, the elliptical or circular shape capacitive pressure sensors are better choice in terms of sensitivity, given that the pressure range is in almost 20 to 120 Pa range, however, the sensors response will be more nonlinear [28], [29], [33]- [34]. The combination of cantilevers and diaphragms could also be used to design the highly sensitive pressure sensors based on the desired pressure range.…”

Modified Nonlinear Hysteresis Approach for a Tactile Sensor

“…Furthermore, a structural engineering approach to designing flexible capacitive pressure sensors using foil-based materials was presented in the study conducted by Mishra et al [ 49 ]. This strategy capitalizes on the inherent benefits of flexibility and adaptability in sensor design, while also presenting challenges in maintaining a delicate balance between sensitivity and durability.…”

“…Similarly, the study by Sakhuja et al [ 48 ] emphasized the benefits of structured design in human-machine interfacing, yet it grapples with the challenge of ensuring long-term reliability and robustness across varying environmental conditions. The work presented by Mishra et al [ 49 ] explores the flexibility of foil-based materials for adaptable applications, but the ongoing challenge lies in striking the delicate balance between sensitivity and durability, while further refining manufacturing processes.…”

Low power paper electronics based wearable radiation detector using hybrid halide perovskite (MAPbBr3): A real time monitoring of gamma ray

“…But such printing techniques often need high precision machines for printing. The core information used in this report is that paper is an excellent substrate for fabrication of flexible, wearable radiation detector device which can lead to point of care devices due to low cost, sufficient availability, biocompatibility and biodegradability [16][17][18][19].…”