Pressure Sensor - Nylon Spandex Fabric
What does the sensor do?
It can be used as a ordinary small area (usually less than 4cm x 4cm area) pressure sensing material, when pressure is applied to it, the resistance decreases. If the area over which the pressure is applied is larger, the resistance decreases more.
While directly using ends of silver fabric segments to be the electrodes for the nylon spandex fabric can only realize small area pressure sensing, this sensing area can actually be largened by using different electrode structures, such as interdigital electrodes.
How it works?
When pressure is applied to the carbon black coated fabrics, it will cause deformation in the thickness direction. As a result, the spacing of conductive carbon particles on the fabric will be reduced, and the resistance of the fabric will decrease.
You will need:
- carbon black ink and polyurethane
- nylon spandex fabric (around 85% nylon, 15% spandex)
- conductive silver fabric
Sensor structure & Fabrication steps
- Laser cut nylon spandex fabrics.
- Dip-coat fabrics with carbon black ink and then polyurethane.
- Connect with two electrode alternatives ⬇️.
Application scenarios
With regular silver fabric ends, it is suitable for small area presure sensing scenarios. With interdigital electrodes on the other hand, it can be wildly used in pressure sensing applications. It is even without doubt the first chioce due to its thin thickness (0.6mm), great fabric breathablity and thus excellent wearing comfort.
For example, in the sample project for wearable sensor patch for pressure ulcer prevention, we used this material to sense pressure subjected to different body parts.