Highly Stretchable, Global, and Distributed Local Strain Sensing Line Using GaInSn Electrodes for Wearable Electronics

• Published in: Advanced functional materials 2015-07, Vol.25 (25), p.3806-3813
• Main Authors: Matsuzaki, Ryosuke, Tabayashi, Kosuke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Detection; Devices; Electrodes; Fingers; flexible electronics; Folding; Prototypes; sensing; Strain; Wearable; wearable electronics
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201501396

For identifying human or finger movement, it is necessary to sense subtle movements at multiple points, including the local strain and global deformation simultaneously; however, this has not yet been realized. Therefore, a highly stretchable, global, and distributed local strain sensing electrode made of GaInSn and polydimethylsiloxane is developed for wearable devices. To investigate the electrical properties of multiple sections of the GaInSn electrode when stretching, tensile, cyclic, and three‐point‐bending tests are performed. The results demonstrate that the electrode can withstand a strain up to 50% and has little hysteresis without any delay. Moreover, the distributed local strain and global strain can be simultaneously measured using just a single electrode line. Finally, a prototype of a data glove as an application of the strain sensing line is manufactured, and it is demonstrated that the folding state of fingers could be identified. The proposed technology may allow the creation of a lightweight master hand manipulator or 3D data entry device. A highly stretchable, global, and distributed local strain sensing electrode made of GaInSn and polydimethylsiloxane is developed for wearable devices. Simultaneous measurement of the distributed local and global strains can be achieved using a single electrode line. A data‐glove prototype is manufactured as an application of the strain sensing line, demonstrating identification of the folding state of fingers.