User-Centric Design: Flexible Strain Sensor Adhesive Tape

This research work focuses on developing a design framework for flexible strain sensors considering sensor performance, end-user difficulties and industrial packaging-cum-scalable feasibility. The sensor is prepared from PVDC-co-VC and PSS-CNT polymer nanocomposite with an underneath adhesive coating and a top copper contact pad. The ratio of PVDC-co-VC/PSS-CNT is optimized towards its percolation to achieve maximum sensing performance. The developed flexible strain sensor tape shows a gauge factor of
$15\pm 1$
, and it is consistent throughout the length of the sensor tape. The PSS polymer functionalization plays a critical role in achieving the homogenized dispersion of CNT nanofillers which ensures the constant gauge factor along the length of the sensor. Finally, the flexible strain sensor is demonstrated for wearable electronics applications using an IOT-enabled portable interface device.