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Strain Transduction in Conductor-Modified Polymers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Eerik T. Hantsoo
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, CA, USA
Vanessa B. Chial
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, CA, USA
Yanan Zhao
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, CA, USA
Kevin C. Chan
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, CA, USA
Klint A. Rose
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, CA, USA
Kenneth S. Wu
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, CA, USA
Beth L. Pruitt
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, CA, USA
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Abstract

We present the fabrication and electromechanical characterization of a class of polymeric high-elongation strain sensors. Samples of polydimethylsiloxane were coated with Creative Materials, Inc.'s 123-27 Electrically Conductive Silicone Ink and the resistance behavior was evaluated in uniaxial tensile tests. Large strains (up to 100%) were observed with monotonically increasing resistance changes. A clear, linear trend up to 65% strain dominated the resistance vs. strain behavior then resistance increased non-linearly. Image processing of the film coupled with a finite element conduction simulation indicate the change in resistance is primarily a geometric effect. Both the conduction path and the polydimethylsiloxane substrate break completely around 100% strain. The samples exhibit a gauge factor of approximately 10.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2005

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