title: Comparison of piezoresistive monofilament polymer sensors.
abstract: The development of flexible polymer monofilament fiber strain sensors have many applications in both wearable computing (clothing, gloves, etc.) and robotics design (large deformation control). For example, a high-stretch monofilament sensor could be integrated into robotic arm design, easily stretching over joints or along curved surfaces. As a monofilament, the sensor can be woven into or integrated with textiles for position or physiological monitoring, computer interface control, etc. Commercially available conductive polymer monofilament sensors were tested alongside monofilaments produced from carbon black (CB) mixed with a thermo-plastic elastomer (TPE) and extruded in different diameters. It was found that signal strength, drift, and precision characteristics were better with a 0.3 mm diameter CB/TPE monofilament than thick (~2 mm diameter) based on the same material or commercial monofilaments based on natural rubber or silicone elastomer (SE) matrices.
authors.affiliation: EMPA Dübendorf, Überlandstrasse 129, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland. Mark.Melnykowycz@empa.ch.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Melnykowycz
authors.affiliation: EMPA Dübendorf, Überlandstrasse 129, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland. Koll.Birgit@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koll
authors.affiliation: EMPA Dübendorf, Überlandstrasse 129, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland. Dagobert.Scharf@empa.ch.
authors.forename: Dagobert
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Scharf
authors.affiliation: EMPA Dübendorf, Überlandstrasse 129, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland. Frank.Clemens@empa.ch.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Clemens
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D003020:Clothing; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D013784:Textiles
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers