Pencil-on-Paper-Based Touchpad for Ecofriendly and Reusable Human-Machine Interface

Abstract

This letter presented a pencil-on-paper-based ecofriendly capacitive touchpad fabricated through a low-cost lab- and solvent-free fabrication process. Economical, readily available, and biodegradable materials, such as pencil and paper, have been used for sensor fabrication. A touchpad based on five such sensors has been developed and evaluated by using it as a user control interface to on/off LEDs and displaying results on LCD and mobile app. The graphite sensors in the user interface have been shielded from the direct interaction of humans and the environment using changeable cling film to make the interface reliable and reusable. The interface can be used in different conditions and users by changing the shielding film. Simultaneously, the system's functionality will remain consistent and functioned similarly to the conventional touch sensors and buttons. These recyclable and easily arrayed touch sensor-based keypads can contribute to future developments in disposable and lightweight interfaces for human-machine interface, medical and healthcare applications, smart packaging, security monitoring, and consumer products.