Relectrode: A reconfigurable electrode for multi-purpose sensing based on microfluidics

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a reconfgurable electrode, RElectrode, using a microfuidic technique that can change the geometry and material properties of the electrode to satisfy the needs for sensing a variety of diferent types of user input through touch/touchless gestures, pressure, temperature, and distinguish between diferent types of objects or liquids. Unlike the existing approaches, which depend on the specifc-shaped electrode for particular sensing (e.g., coil for inductive sensing), RElectrode enables capacity, inductance, resistance/pressure, temperature, pH sensings all in a single package. We demonstrate the design and fabrication of the microfuidic structure of our RElectrode, evaluate its sensing performance through several studies, and provide some unique applications. RElectrode demonstrates technical feasibility and application values of integrating physical and biochemical properties of microfuidics into novel sensing interfaces.