Flexible and wearable sensors

Abstract

Wearable devices using solid device components have recently been released to purchase for different kinds of applications. However, ideal “wear- able” devices should be like a cloth, so that they can be attached on a human skin or cloth without awareness. To realize flexible and wearable electronics, a challenge is how to form mechanically flexible electrical materials on a flexible substrate. To address this requirement, we here propose and develop nanoma- terial film formations on a macroscale flexible substrate using printing methods. As examples, we present an artificial electronic skin (e-skin) for robotic/prosthesis and a wearable device. By considering strain engineering, composition of materials into the film, and surface interaction to form uniform printing films, a variety of flexible devices can be readily fabricated without using an expensive tool such as a vacuum system.